took keen hold, pressed leader, ridden over 3f out, soon no chance with winner, lost place inside final 2f, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, regained modest 2nd post
tracked leaders, outpaced 5f out, soon lost place and behind, stayed on under pressure to take 4th inside final furlong, never a threat
led, hung right paddock bend, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, stayed on to chase clear and easy winner inside final 2f, lost modest 2nd post
held up in touch, chased leaders over 5f out, never on terms, weakened 2f out
hed up in touch, struggling over 6f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
always prominent on inside, led over 3f out, soon quickened clear, unchallenged after, stayed on well, eased towards finish
held up behind, headway 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never a threat
held up in touch, pushed along and behind halfway, soon tailed off
The market should help here as we have three with decent bumper form, one likely improver and four interesting newcomers. Hopefully DESERT RETREAT (NAP) will be well supported as he receives 7lb from previous winner, Alf 'n' Dor and his second here to Bun Doran in a November bumper reads well in light of the winner's recent Haydock victory. He can provide Richard Johnson with another success en route to the jockeys' title. Pride Of Lecale demands respect and Instingtive should leave debut running from last spring behind. The newcomers need a market monitor with Port Navas making most appeal at this stage for the in-form Pipe yard.
Alf 'n' Dor (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) With leader, led 8f out, ridden clear and wandered final 2f, easily, won at Ludlow 2m (5) hvy in Jan beating Diamond Rock (11-5) by 21l, 8 ran.
Desert Retreat (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on well to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Bun Doran (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) sft in Nov.
Instingtive (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 13, dist behind Waterlord (10-12) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Muffins For Tea With The Flow gelding out of Countess Point.
Port Navas (IRE) Court Cave gelding out of Mrs Quigley.
Pride Of Lecale 4-5fav (11-5) Held up in touch, jinked left to avoid false rail over 13f out, closed 7f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Billy Bronco (11-5) at Towcester 2m mdn (6) hvy in Jan.
Wylde Magic (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Voodoo Magic.
Double Miss Double Trigger M out of Ladyalder.
