held up behind, good headway before 2 out, challenged and bumped last, led flat, ran on well
prominent, ridden to lead before and bumped last, headed flat, no extra
held up in rear and keen, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden and mistake last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
led, mistake 1st, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
LEAN BURN faded late on last time but it was a run of promise after a lengthy break and he receives plenty of weight from his rivals. The selection showed progressive form last term and gets the nod over Olympian. The latter has his trip and ground here but continues to be punished by the handicapper for his consistency, latterly being raised 5lb for his recent Towcester second. He'll go well again though, whilst Spirit Is Needed is the potential improver in the contest after showing promise in maiden and novice hurdle company - he was not disgraced behind Invictus at Ascot last time. Erin Dancer improved when obliging at Sedgefield but is unproven on the ground and needs to step up again.
Olympian (FR) 4-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Haarth Sovereign (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Spirit Is Needed (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led 3rd until 3 out, led briefly again soon after, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 29l behind Invictus (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd.
Morning Farewell 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, fell 2nd, in a race won by Tharaya (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Dream Catcher (SWE) 14-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 7th of 16, 23l behind Gold Reef (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs in Nov.
Erin Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to 3rd 3 out, went 2nd before last, soon challenging, stayed on under pressure to lead final 150 yards, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Baraathen (9-11) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rampant Ronnie (USA) 12-1 (10-4) Led, ridden and headed when hit last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Wikaala (11-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Lean Burn (USA) 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 18l behind Ministerofinterior (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
King Brex (DEN) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Fujin Dancer (10-6) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
