tracked leaders, lost place 6th, behind from 8th
held up, fell 2nd
tracked leaders, lost place before 10th, well beaten approaching 3 out
tracked winner until after 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, pushed along after 7th, 4th and one pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 8th, not fluent next, 5th and one pace when hit 3 out, no impression
held up, closed 5th, went 2nd after 4 out, driven 2 out, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, one pace
held up in rear on outside, behind from 10th
jumped left, made all, clear flat, comfortably
She's Late hasn't shown a lot over fences so far but Jonjo O'Neill has won two of the last four renewals so the five-year-old could be worth a second look from near the foot of the weights. Venetia Williams trained last year's winner so will be hoping for a big run from recent Aintree third Russborough while Bangor runner-up Dartford Warbler remains potentially well treated on his hurdles form. SHOCKINGTIMES (NAP) was second off a higher mark here a couple of years ago. He's been knocking on the door again lately and first-time blinkers can help him get his head back in front. Cloudy Bob and Rio Milan make more appeal than the enigmatic Cayman Islands on these terms.
Russborough (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Prominent, hit 2nd and lost place, not fluent 8th, outpaced after 8th, not fluent 4 out, went 3rd and stayed on from before last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 21 1/4l behind Dresden (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Harristown 8-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, jumped slowly 6th, reminder after 9th, outpaced 4 out, modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, 24 1/2l behind Calipto (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Rio Milan (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch 9th, not fluent 17th, close up 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Azure Fly (11-11) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Cayman Islands 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4th, not fluent last, drew clear flat, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Vinnie The Fish (10-11) by 6l, 4 ran.
Up For An Oscar (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Prominent until before 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along 8th, ridden before 4 out, lost place 3 out, mistake and hampered next, soon no chance, pulled up before last, at Stratford 3m 3f hcp (4) gd in May.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden after 2 out, stayed on to dispute 3rd flat, no impression, 4th of 10, 3l behind Viva Steve (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Shockingtimes (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed and beaten when left clear and slightly hampered last, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Cyrien Star (10-13) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Owen Glendower (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 10th, not fluent 14th, blundered and unseated rider 16th, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
She's Late 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until ridden 11th, struggling from 4 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Sands Cove (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Dartford Warbler (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Led, joined 11th, ridden 2 out, mistake and headed next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind John Louis (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
