held up in touch, headway after 3 out, chased winner next, no extra closing stages
tracked leader, led before 2 out, hard driven when challenged last, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, weakening when mistake last
held up, headway before 2 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure into 2nd after last, never reached winner
behind, under pressure 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace
led until approaching 2 out, weakened before last
keen in rear, outpaced 3 out, rallied before next, soon weakened
NonRunner
Bumper winner RHYTHM IS A DANCER opened his account over hurdles with a victory over track and trip a fortnight ago. Further progress looks likely from Paul Nicholl's charge now handicapping for the first time. The Brothers posted a better effort at Chepstow last time without threatening and Midnight Midge was placed in novice company here on his penultimate start but Stylish Moment disappointed when sent off favourite at Hereford on his handicap debut. Myplaceatmidnight and Gulshanigans have bits of form though both are returning from lay-offs.
Myplaceatmidnight 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, hung badly right on bend and headed before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Champ (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in May.
Rhythm Is A Dancer 1-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, pushed along off last bend, ridden after 2 out, drew clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gf in Nov beating Legend Of Zorro (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Stylish Moment (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced after 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 14, 22l behind Samson's Reach (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Gulshanigans 6-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 15, 32 3/4l behind Beer Goggles (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Aptly Put (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced in 5th when went left 3 out, never on terms with leaders, 5th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Jersey Bean (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
The Brothers (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Chased clear leader (winner), lost place 3 out, no impression when not fluent last, 4th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Solstice Star (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
The Mighty Ash (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) In touch, under pressure 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 17, dist behind Radical Archie (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Midnight Midge 33-1 (11-5) In rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 14 1/4l behind Norse Legend (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Chloe's Court (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 13, 32 1/4l behind Solstice Star (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.