tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, lost place 4th, went right 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
led until 2nd, led after next, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, led 2nd, hit next, soon headed, stayed prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, not much room 1st, mistake 5th, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led next, clear approaching last, ran on well
held up in touch, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten last
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before last, no impression
held up, headway when mistake 4th, mistake next, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out
taken back to last 1st, lost touch after 2nd, tailed off when mistake 6th, went remote 4th after last
SMOKEY OAKEY won a Group 3 on the Flat as a four-year-old and there is probably just enough give in the ground for him here. Providing he is somewhere near his best after a break Mark Tompkins' gelding, runner-up to Megastar on his latest start at Ascot in November, should outclass these. If the selection doesn't give his true running, last month's Stratford third Catching Zeds is the most likely to take advantage though hurdling newcomer Taaresh was a decent sort on the level and should have no problem staying this trip over timber.
Cerise En Bleu (FR) Goldneyev gelding out of Wild Rita.
Conflictofinterest 18-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 4th when blunderd badly 1st and bridle broke, mistake next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Soul Magic (10-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 9 ran.
Father Figure (USA) 150-1 (10-9) Prominent, weakened 4 out, 13th of 16, 40l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan '10.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Keen tracked leader, led and hit 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Megastar (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Taaresh (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leading trio, went 3rd on inside over 3f out, went 2nd entering final furlong until final 110 yards no impression, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Georgebernardshaw (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Mar (flat).
Teals Star 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened over 7f out, last of 15, well behind Rose Of The Moon (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Oct.
Catching Zeds 50-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, disputing 4th when stumbled 2 out, kept on flat, went modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Carter (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in May.
Sharp And Chic 22-1 (10-1) Held up, always behind, 7th of 11, 36l behind Flora's Pride (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov sll hdl (5) gd in May.
