held up in touch, headway 12th, chased leader 14th to 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened after last
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, steady headway 4 out, close up in 5th when blundered last, ridden and no impression flat
behind, reminders after 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
with leader, mistake 8th, led before 13th, joined 4 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra when lost 2nd 1f out
made most to before 13th, mistake 11th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
behind, lost touch 12th, soon pulled up
held up in touch, headway 2 out, chased leading pair after last, soon ridden, went 2nd 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, held near finish
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, ridden to lead flat, hard pressed inside final furlong, held on under pressure near finish
MIDNIGHT DIAMOND is on a career-high mark over fences but wasn't beaten far when third at Towcester last month and looks the safest option in a race in which there are question marks hanging over most of his rivals. Almond Court finally came good at Hexham last time but that was a very modest heat and Bob Johnson's eight-year-old has a 9lb higher mark to overcome here. Macdougal has shown promise in the past but may need this and Feeling Peckish has just one win from 95 career starts under Rules, though ran his best race for some time when third at Fakenham last Sunday.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along and jumped slowly 3rd, fell next, in a race won by Bear Dancing (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 8 ran.
Macdougal (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place when hit 6th, well behind after 9th, tailed off when pulled up after next, in a race won by Russellstown Boy (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Oct, 10 ran.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Held up, reminder after 7th, on and off bridle thereafter, driven after 12th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Jacarado (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 16-1 (9-7) In touch, prominent 5th, ridden 13th weakened next, rallied approaching last, left 3rd flat, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 4l behind See You Jack (11-11) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Almond Court (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Led to 3rd, remained prominent, led again 11th, made rest, pecked 4 out, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden and held on under pressure flat (no time taken), won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Lethem Present (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Cengiz (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Held up 4th and last in touch, pushed along 6th, reminders after next, lost touch 9th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Downward Spiral (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd.
Sailor's Sovereign 7-1 (10-3) In rear, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Atherstone Hill (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Glacial Rambler (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Prominent, reminder after 10th, ridden 4 out, mistake 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 10, 14l behind Commercial Express (11-5) at Perth 3m 2f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
