prominent, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, weakened well before 2 out
pulled hard, led, jinked badly right 1st, headed next, erratic 3rd, ran very wide and headed bend after 4th, soon back close up, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up
led 2nd, soon headed, left in lead bend after 4th, headed approaching 2 out, beaten when not fluent last
towards rear, pushed along 4th, behind next, plugged on approaching 2 out, went remote 4th before last
in rear, headway when not fluent 5th, went 4th after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in rear on outside, not fluent 2nd or 4th, effort 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, challenged 3 out, led approaching next, clear when not fluent last, stayed on
It will be interesting to see how Sunset Boulevard performs on his first start over hurdles for Jim Best having not run over timber since October 2007 when with Robert Alner, especially as he shown better form on the level of late. Maizy Missile has harshly gone up 9lb for his win at Uttoxeter in July and may like Manathon need some assistance from the handicapper. Michael Blake's Bari Bay has slipped to a fair mark but is hard to back on recent form and a better bet looks to be AMAZING REQUEST. John Llewellyn's gelding ran well again here last time over slightly further when second to Petit Fleur, should not be inconvenienced by the drop back in trip, and he can go one better today.
Catholic Hill (USA) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, 4th and no impression when not fluent last, 4th of 17, 15l behind Mycenean Prince (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
The Grey One (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Took keeen hold, pressed winner, led 4th, mistake 3 out, headed after next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 17, 12l behind Mycenean Prince (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Sunset Boulevard (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Abit Irish (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Feb '08, 18 ran.
Maizy Missile (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Led until 2nd, tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jul beating Marie De Laufon (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Amazing Request 7-2 (10-5) Soon chasing leaders, closed 6th, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Petit Fleur (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Manathon (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 32l behind Posh Emily (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Bari Bay 22-1 (11-4) Led, mistake 5th, headed and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Roman History (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Pegasus Lad (USA) 50-1 (11-1) Took keen hold in touch, ridden and weakened 5th, 9th of 12, 33l behind Louis Ludwig (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Jumped poorly, always in rear tailed off, last of 14, well behind Letham Island (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb.
