slightly hampered start, held up in last pair, good headway on outside chasing leaders approaching 5th, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression when lost 3rd last, weakened run-in
held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 5th where not fluent, pushed along and not fluent next, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, went left and awkward 5th, headway on outside approaching 2 out, went 4th between last 2, driven and one pace run-in
last pair, struggling 3 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway travelling well enough after 3 out, weakened before next, hit last
held up in mid-division, headway on inside under pressure before 2 out, weakened 2 out
held up in mid-division, pecked 3rd, headway when mistake and ridden 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on under pressure into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
went right start, raced keenly, led 1st, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased leaders, hit 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, hit 3 out, went 2nd before next, switched right after 2 out, led between last 2, clear last, kept on strongly run-in
never travelled in rear, reluctant going out on final circuit, soon lost touch, tailed off 3rd, pulled up before 2 out
led until 1st, chased leader, led again before 2 out, blundered and pecked 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, held last, weakened into 3rd run-in
Major Mac has been placed twice on the Flat this year and beat two rivals with consummate ease at Newbury on his return to hurdles, though the form is modest. Utility has Chantecler back in fourth when getting off the mark at Chepstow but was earlier beaten six lengths behind HAG STONE at Southwell and is 3lb worse off. Tom Lacey's gelding beat an odds-on favourite that day and the third has finished second at Wetherby since so the form may be better than it looked at the time. Market Rasen winner Vivas has to be a threat only 4lb higher but Linguine and Swincombe Toby are proving hard to place.
Linguine (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Led until after 1st, chased winner, not fluent 4 out or 3 out, soon well held, 2nd of 3, 20l behind Braventara (10-5) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Vivas (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, pressed leader 3 out, every chance last, ridden to lead flat, ran, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Next Edition (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Utility (GER) 11-4 (10-12) Soon close up, led before last, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Mister Big (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hag Stone 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th, led before last, edged left and ran on well to draw clear flat, won at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Debece (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Swincombe Toby 6-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, challenged and not fluent 2 out, one pace after, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Unison (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Major Mac 1-2fav (10-12) Raced keenly, soon led and set steady pace, increased tempo after 3rd, clear from 6th, went left next, carried head awkwardly in straight, unextended, won at Newbury 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Tower Of Allen (10-12) by 21l, 3 ran.
Chantecler 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake 1st, soon led, jumped left and headed 2nd, hung right before 4 out on bend, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Utility (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Trans Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, jumped big 3rd, soon lost place, behind 5th, 7th of 8, 28 3/4l behind Eddiemaurice (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Spa's Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, never a threat, last of 11, 8 1/4l behind Pure Fantasy (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Limited Reserve (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up, towards rear, headway before 4 out, one pace before 2 out, 5th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Rocklander (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Sea Serpent (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost palce after 6th, soon behind tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Vocaliser (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) In rear and keen, ridden and in 4th before last, no impression, 4th of 5, 13 1/4l behind Moonday Sun (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
