always in rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked clear leader (winner), close up before 5th, ridden after 3 out, never on terms, weakened from last
held up behind, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, headway under pressure before last, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked clear leader (winner), close up before 5th, one pace 2 out, soon ridden, well held in 4th from last
held up in 4th, close up before 5th, went 2nd when ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish
made all, soon clear, not fluent 2nd, reduced advantage before 5th, drew clear again on bit from 2 out, very easily
NonRunner
Hallings Comet has won three of his four starts here recently but has failed to see out this longer trip in the past. Chelsea Flyer has claims on his form in novice events last season but CANTON PRINCE (NAP) won the novice event over course and distance at this meeting last year and goes well fresh so gets a tentative vote. Meldrum Lad did well over fences last season but hasn’t raced over hurdles since well beaten at Limerick in July of last year.
Ennistown 16-1 (11-12) Jumped right in last, pushed along after 4th, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Chelsea Flyer (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, weakened before last, 11th of 16, dist behind Wait For Me (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Canton Prince (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Buche De Noel (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, 4th and one pace from next, no impression, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Surtee Du Berlais (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr.
Apple Of Our Eye 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders approaching 4 out, weakened next, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Hallings Comet 4-1 (11-2) Led to 5th, challenged from 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Maximus Maridius (11-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Meldrum Lad (IRE) 6-4fav (10-5) Held up in 4th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden after next, never able to challenge, 4th of 5, 22l behind A Little Magic (11-1) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
