led, headed after 3rd, lost further ground and sat last before 4th, pushed along and tailed off before 7th, pulled up before 8th
midfield, rousted along before 1st, soon tracked leader, led after 3rd, joined for lead before 3 out, headed before 2 out, kept on at one pace after last, lost 2nd final 110 yards
towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, challenged leader before 3 out, led before 2 out, extended lead on run to last, eased on the run-in
held up towards rear, niggled along before 3 out, steady progress on approach to last, went 2nd final 110 yards
All five have a shout but Darcy Ward returns after a near 600-day absence and Ask Himself has yet to sparkle in two stats after wind surgery, although his handicap mark is falling appreciably as a consequence. Breaking Waves finally returned to form last time after a disappointing sequence and has every chance if in the same form here with trip and ground to suit. However, he does have to concede 9lb to GET THE APPEAL plus the 3lb claim of Lorcan Williams, and the reliable Nicholls inmate is taken to land a second victory of the season. The drop back in trip should not prove an inconvenience. Cage Of Fear is hard to assess with confidence as he returns to hurdling after four starts over fences - but is not ruled out on previous evidence over the smaller obstacles.
Darcy Ward (FR) 9-4fav (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd 3rd until slow 5th, pushed along after 8th, switched right before 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 7, 14l behind Lovato (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Breaking Waves (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In leading pair, took clear lead 5 out, ridden 3 out, joined last, headed on run in, ran on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Stormy Flight (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Ask Himself (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up and behind, limited late progress, went never dangerous 5th flat, 5th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Fisher Green (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Get The Appeal (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Led, not fluent 10th, ridden before 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Dora De Janeiro (10-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Cage Of Fear (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, bumped 1st, mistake next and 11th, headway after 14th, not fluent 4 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 20l behind Waikiki Waves (11-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
