tracked leaders, lost place before 4th, behind from 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, mistake 5th, headway approaching 7th, led soon after, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, jumped left and blundered last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, blundered 2nd, pushed along after 6th, tailed off before 8th, pulled up before last
behind, pushed along after 8th, headway before 2 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway before 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, soon clear, easily
led and keen, soon clear until before 7th, headed soon after and weakened, blundered 8th, pulled up after 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden before 2 out, every chance before last, soon chased winner, no impression
It's a little disconcerting to see PALOMAR dropped into this grade but Brian Ellison's nine-year-old has upwards of 25lb in hand on his rivals according to official ratings and did run well over a similar trip at Kempton in January. He is impossible to oppose. Khorun wasn't disgraced over fences at Fontwell on his latest start and should make the frame but Kempski returns from a break and will struggle to concede weight all round. The others have a mountain to climb at the weights.
Kempski 17-2 (10-8) Led until after 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 39l behind Andreo Bambaleo (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Khorun (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Led after 1st, ridden 2 out, just over 1 lenght up when not fluent and lost footing on landing last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Red Harbour (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Palomar (USA) 33-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, mid-division 3 out, no impression, 16th of 23, well behind Sir Des Champs (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Applaude 28-1 (11-7) Mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 19l behind Pete (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Boston Lad (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, reminders after 2nd, never dangerous, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Stormin Exit (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Follow On 33-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 19l behind Pete (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Led, wandered approaching 3rd, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Folk Tune (11-0) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Saga Surprise (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led clear after 2nd, not fluent 4th or next, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Mr Supreme (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Hoar Frost 10-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, one pace and no impression from last, 4th of 9, 13l behind Zefooha (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
