held up in 6th, headway on outside 3 out, hung left under pressure and went 3rd before last, one pace run-in
took keen hold, tracked leading trio, jumped slowly 5th, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon beaten
held up in last pair, hit 4th, pushed along in modest 5th before 2 out, mistake last, weakened run-in
tracked leading pair, 2nd after 4 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led narrowly last, hung left and bumped run-in, soon headed and kept on, just held
led until 1st, chased leader, mistake 6th, pushed along and lost 2nd after 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
held up in last pair, never involved
took keen hold, led 1st, joined 2 out, soon ridden, narrowly headed last, hung right and bumped run-in, soon led again, held on gamely in closing stages
held up in 5th, headway into 4th travelling well before 3 out, pushed along into 3rd before next, no extra in 4th approaching last
Most of these have some sort of chance, though Dragon's Den may prefer a bit further nowadays. Polamco has more to do than when scoring at Wincanton and maiden Singlefarmpayment will find easier opportunities in the coming weeks but Home Run has to go on the short-list after a better effort over a shorter trip here last time. Saffron Wells wasn't disgraced on his reappearance at Aintree in October and holds Vice Et Vertu on the form book but Tony Star lacks a recent run and Lough Kent was never really travelling at Cheltenham earlier this month. MORITO DU BERLAIS has been raised a further 3lb since failing to complete a hat-trick at Haydock but the form of that race is working out well and he may be up to the task.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, chased winner before last until run-in, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Peckhamecho (11-2) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Tony Star (FR) 9-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced from 3 out, mistake 2 out, held in 3rd when mistake last, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Minella For Value (11-3) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in May.
Lough Kent 4-1fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway on outside when not fluent 2 out, outpaced and no impression before last, went 4th flat, 4th of 8, 10l behind Starluck (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gs.
Morito Du Berlais (FR) 9-4fav (10-11) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway before and mistake last, kept on, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind On Tour (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, went poor 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 17l behind Silsol (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft in Nov.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, some headway before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 12, 34l behind Katkeau (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Polamco (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led after 3 out, headed before next, soon led again, wandered before last, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (0-115) (4) gd beating Muckle Roe (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Singlefarmpayment 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, challenged 4 out, left in lead 2 out, headed final 100 yards, kept on, just failed, 2nd of 16, shd behind Sidbury Hill (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Home Run (GER) 5-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 2nd before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, hung left and headed before last, one pace and no impression when hung badly left and weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Silsol (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft in Nov.
