held up, chased leaders 4 out, switched left approaching next, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakening approaching the last, lost ground and well held run to the line
led, headed bypassing open ditch (usual third), remained close up, disputed 4 out, led again approach 2 out, ran on strongly when joined at the last, switched to far rail on run-in, no extra when headed near finish
held up, yet to to be asked a serious question when blundered and unseated 8th
held up, pulled hard after 6th, closed on leaders 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, disputed at the last, soon led, ran on strongly, just prevailed
held up, closed on leaders 4 out, every chance next, ridden after last, ran on but not pace of leaders near finish
close up, led bypassing open ditch (usual third omitted), hard press 4 out, pushed along approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, not pace of front two inside final furlong
Winning hurdler BASS ROCK made a successful debut over fences when scoring at Carlisle. He never looked in any danger and can shrug off a rise in the weights. Ganapathi ran well at Cheltenham last time and makes his handicap debut while Grand Voyage won at Ayr last month. Novice hurdle winner Grandads Cottage makes his chasing bow with a chance. Not What It Seems is another chasing for the first time having notched-up a hat-trick over timber earlier in the year.
Ganapathi (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Chased winner until 2nd, raced in 3rd until went 2nd again before 3 out, outpaced soon after, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Nube Negra (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Bass Rock (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent on inner, switched left and led 3 out, soon forged clear, ran on strongly, pushed out run-in, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m (3) sft in Nov beating Llandinabo Lad (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Castle Rushen (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, took closer order before 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on behind easy winner, 2nd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Threeunderthrufive (11-3) at Perth 3m lst (1) gs in Apr.
Grandads Cottage (IRE) 4-7fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 3 out, driven ahead next, pressed at last but stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Earth Lord (11-1) by 1l, 12 ran.
Grand Voyage (FR) 7-4 (11-10) In touch, pushed along 10th, took closer order 13th, led 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed 2 out, faded approaching last, 3rd of 4, 17 1/2l behind Ned Tanner (11-3) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Not What It Seems (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Raced in 4th, 3rd going well 3 out, led before next, left clear at the last, no extra under pressure and headed run-in, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Lock's Corner (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
