The three penalised entries at the top of the card face stiff tasks, though Lively Baron should appreciate this step-up in trip after staying on strongly over 2m4f. JOIN TOGETHER, a winner between the flags in Ireland, showed the benefit of his opening run over timber with a vastly improved effort in a similar race to this at Cheltenham where only Mossley proved too strong. Further progress looks certain and he'll take some beating, though this will be his first attempt on good ground. Rose Of The Moon steps up in trip and class while the remainder will all need to improve on what they have shown so far to take a hand.
Buck Mulligan 8-1 (11-6) Held up behind, steady headway 8th, led before 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Round Tom (11-6) by 8l, 11 ran.
Court By Surprise (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) With leader, led narrowly after 3rd, hard pressed when not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed when not fluent again last, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 16, 10l behind Pride In Battle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Dec.
Lively Baron (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead towards finish, held on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs beating Kings Grey (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Iron Chancellor (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, 6th after 5th, headway to chase winner after 4 out, every chance from 2 out, hard ridden to challenge after last, just failed, 2nd of 16, ns behind State Benefit (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Join Together (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, effort 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, ridden approaching last, challenged and every chance after last, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Mossley (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headway before last, chased winner final 100 yards, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Bobs Worth (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Super Villan 11-1 (11-0) Led to 1st, tracked leader, led again before 6th, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Global Power (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Miss Overdrive 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 4 out, hit 2 out, lost 3rd flat, no extra, 4th of 18, 19l behind Universal Soldier (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
