took keen hold in touch, smooth headway to chase leader after 3 out, good jump to lead 2 out, about 1 length ahead last, driven and idled flat, headed last strides
held up, headway into mid division 4th, driven in 5th after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
mid-division until dropped to rear and reminders after 6th, tailed off 4 out, mistake next
mostly chased leader, mistake 4th, lost 2nd before 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before last
made most until ridden and headed soon after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 1st, headway to 2nd before 4 out, led soon after 3 out, headed next, rallied and every chance after last, no extra towards finish
always behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off
patiently ridden and held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, chased leading pair after 3 out, blundered and sprawled 2 out, rallied gamely and switched right soon after last, stayed on to lead last strides
always behind, lost touch when mistake 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened after 3 out, went left last 2, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, ridden and struggling when misake 4 out, tailed off
always behind, ridden and struggling in rear after 6th, tailed off
A tricky race to open the card where a chance is taken on BAD SIR BRIAN. Nick Gifford's gelding won a fast ground Plumpton bumper last month on fast ground, but there is enough in his pedigree to suggest that he will go on this slower surface. The step back up in trip also looks a positive and this hurdles debutant might represent some value against likely favourite Present To You. Philip Hobbs's five-year-old carries a penalty today after winning over course and distance last time, but although he acts with some cut, he seems better on good ground and his task is no easy one. Kauto The Roc is short-list material after showing some spark at Exeter but the drop in trip is far from certain to suit, while Bangor bumper winner Inga Bird can go well but his trainer's runners tend to need an outing after a break.
Present To You (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Chased leaders, left in lead and hampered 2nd, joined 2 out, narrowly headed bypassing last, edged right under pressure but rallied to regain lead final 150 yards and kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Penchesco (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Admirable Duque (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Raced wide towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 15, 6l behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug (flat).
Aerospace 15-2 (10-13) Chased leading pair until after 8th, weakened into 5th and beaten when mistake 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 35l behind Bangkok Pete (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Bad Sir Brian (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader and keen, led 9f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gf in Oct beating Border Station (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bright Decision 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake and reminder 3rd, struggling after next, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Rhum (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Oct.
Inga Bird 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along 7f out, headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Bangor 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Mar beating Mr Jay Dee (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Jack The Soldier (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, some headway to modest 5th 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 12, 28l behind Moonwolf (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Kauto The Roc (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 6th, every chance 3 out, chased winner approaching next, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Garton King (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Like Ice 11-4 (11-0) Led until not fluent 1st, chased leader until 5th, not fluent 6th, jumped slowly next, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Murcar (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in May, 8 ran.
Maringo Bay (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Cl up, 2nd from 6th till ld 10th, chall last, not quicken & hdd flat, kow, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Court Victory (12-0) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp gs in Mar.
Richardlionheart (USA) 50-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, slow jump 1st, led after 2nd, still leading when fell 6th, in a race won by Anak (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov '09, 5 ran.
Downe Payment (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Close up, pushed along 6f out, lost place soon after, 6th of 11, 29l behind Fountains Flypast (11-0) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Oct.
