chased leaders, went right and hit 1st, tracked leader 2nd until 5th, chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd when hit 3 out, weakened into 4th final 150 yards
held up last and keen, steady headway on inside approaching 3 out, 4th and one pace from 3 out, went 3rd final 150 yards
tracked leader until 2nd, handy 3rd, 2nd again 5th, led 2 out, ridden and edged right briefly run-in, led 2 out, stayed on
tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, pushed along before next, weakened 3 out
held up in last pair, hit 4th, weakened before 3 out
led, hit 2nd, headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and held run-in, hung right towards finish
A warm heat but BIG BAD BEAR was noted staying on to real effect on hurdling debut at Aintree after a series of promising bumper efforts. That Liverpool run did suggest he may be better over further than today's trip but he handles forecast conditions well and is clearly going the right way. Milkwood, most impressive at Hereford, is a major threat but is rather reluctantly passed over as he's yet to encounter soft ground - both victories coming on good. He is very interesting though. Miah Grace is also noteworthy after a decisive victory at Hexham last month, whilst the market should inform as to expectations surrounding Tom George's French import, Faro De Kerser. Winning Flat performers, Forewarning and Everything For You, add further spice to an intriguing contest.
Faro De Kerser (FR) (10-5) won at Sable-Sur-Sarthe 1m 7f gs in May beating Love Story (9-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Milkwood (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway tracking leaders approaching 2 out, challenged last, quickened to lead run-in, soon clear, won at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Does He Know (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Big Bad Bear (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In rear, headway from after 2 out, kept on into never nearer 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Imperial Alcazar (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Everything For You (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Chased leader, pushed along and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind Spanish Archer (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Forewarning 8-1 (8-2) Held up, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 18l behind Sassie (8-10) at York 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Miah Grace 15-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, not fluent 6th, soon led, clear before last, easily, won at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct beating Fyfin Patsy (10-5) by 11l, 11 ran.
