held up in rear, headway from 2 out, went 3rd flat, never on terms
raced keenly, chased winner until 2 out, no extra and dropped to 4th flat
held up in touch, outpaced when mistake 3 out, kept on flat, no impression
made all, not fluent 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, went left and mistake 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders on outside, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened
always in rear
tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression when not fluent last
EL BORRACHO won off much higher marks over fences last year and has had a pipe-opener so could be a bit of value in this. Treasured Company was in good form in the autumn, winning here and at Sedgefield, but may need this while Son Of Red is having a first run for new connections having become disappointing. Chef De Troupe has been in good form on the all-weather but was beaten a long way in a seller when last over hurdles. Zamond has been thereabouts lately, however, and is getting 14lb from the maiden Halifax.
Peaked Too Soon 22-1 (11-9) Chased clear leader, driven along 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Sofia's Rock (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Son Of Red (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, mistake 4th, pecked 4th, shaken up and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Gala De Corton (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Halifax (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Held up in touch, challenged after 3 out, led 2 out, headed and hung left before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Sister Michael (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in May.
El Borracho (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) With leader, led clearly from 2nd until before 4th, led after 4 out, headed after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, 6th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Nye Bevan (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Treasured Company (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Prominent, pressed leaders before 2 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well but headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Curramore (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Chef De Troupe (FR) 22-1 (9-7) Held up, wide and headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in May beating Bird For Life (9-5) by shd, 13 ran.
Check My Pulse (IRE) 5-2 (12-1) Chased leaders, reached for 7th, not fluent next, pushed along before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace from last, 3rd of 6, 14 3/4l behind Cool Country (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Zamond (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Keen tracked winner, ridden 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Glimpse Of Gold (11-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
