tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
led 1st, headed after 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd when mistake next, led after 3 out, clear last, ridden out
prominent, lost place 6th, no impression from 3 out
always behind
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, hit 5th, not fluent next, soon ridden, headway when mistake 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never on terms, well beaten 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, beaten when hit last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
mistake and unseated rider 1st
led until 1st, tracked leader until 6th, soon lost place
Steve Gollings trains Local Hero, who just managed to get the better of Laudatory in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen last month. He should know where he stands with C&D winner Conquisto against Nicky Henderson's charge, who may not be as well suited by this easier ground and has little in hand of Kayaan at the weights. Adelar improved to score at Ffos Las while Porgy is on a hat-trick after victories at Worcester and Market Rasen. Grey Soldier is capable on his day and the versatile Marodima will ensure there is no hanging around, though is high enough in the weights now. The booking of McCoy for VULCANITE catches the eye. A very decent performer on the Flat, he wasn't far off the best 2m novices last season and could be a bit better than his current handicap mark. Chepstow third Crafty Roberto may be best of the rest.
Conquisto 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, kept on from last, weakened towards finish, lost 3 places near finish, 6th of 19, 5l behind Red Merlin (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in May.
Marodima (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Made all, hit 3rd, stayed on very gamely, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs beating King Edmund (11-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Vulcanite (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out and not fluent, one pace from 2 out, not fluent last, lost 4th place final 100 yards, 5th of 12, 17l behind Darlan (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Laudatory 14-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden before last, caught post, 2nd of 15, ns behind Local Hero (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, stumbled downhill run approaching 2 out where headed, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Lend A Hand Son (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chase gf in Jun.
Kayaan 9-1 (9-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Local Hero (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Adelar (GER) 14-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, mistake 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft beating Ahyaknowyerself (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Cheshire Prince 80-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, challenged after 3 out, every chance when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Smalib Monterg (10-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Sep, 14 ran.
Porgy 4-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating The Romford Pele (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Crafty Roberto 20-1 (10-1) In touch, headway after 4th, outpaced 3 out, rallied under pressure to 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Hinterland (11-10) at Chepstow 2m Limited hcp hdl (2) sft.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 9-4fav (11-5) In touch, not fluent 3rd, hard ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 13, 18l behind Dubai Glory (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
