chased winner throughout, well held from 3 out, eased when no chance run-in
raced in 4th place until after 4th, pushed along and mistake 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
tended to jump left, made all, clear 3 out, kept up to work run-in, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
hung left on occasions, raced wide, chased leaders, hit 6th and ridden, outpaced next, never on terms after, plugged on
held up in 5th place, went 3rd before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
PLAY THE ACE (NAP) is better known as a chaser but it took the nine-year-old just two attempts to get off the mark over hurdles. He was a pretty decisive winner here as well and can give the weight away to The Last But One, who has won three times over the larger obstacles but is now 0-7 over timber. Max Liebermann has won a maiden handicap at Yarmouth and a bumper at Southwell as well as finishing third over hurdles at Huntingdon but is trying this longer trip for the first time. 5.20
Play The Ace (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up, effort 3 out, soon ridden, led flat, clear towards finish, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul beating Rockinrolldixie (10-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Mr Pippin 20-1 (12-0) (cp) in tch til wknd 13; wl bhnd when pu aft 3 out, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m mdn gd in May.
Super Moon 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, some headway before bypassed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, dist behind Motueka (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
The Last But One (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led until 1st, led 3rd, headed next, led 6th, headed after 8th, ridden 4 out, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Voix D'Eau (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Max Liebermann (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, switched right after start and soon tracking leading pair who went clear halfway, behind and struggling in rear over 4f out, hung left and ran on late, last of 5, 14l behind Bartholomew J (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Gnarly 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, under pressure 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 34 3/4l behind Inessa (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul.