tracked front pair, disputed 2nd after 5 out, driven after next, ridden and one pace last, no impression with front pair flat
led, hit 2nd, headed 4th, tracked winner, effort 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, always held
tracked leader, led 4th, made rest, hit 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well from last
held up in touch in rear, effort after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, weakened flat
NonRunner
Solstice Star was due to run at Uttoxeter yesterday but would have a chance if redirected. He finished ahead of Holly Bush Henry over hurdles at Cheltenham in April but the latter has the size to make a chaser. Fou Et Sage won three times in France, including once over fences, but he's finished last on all three runs in this country. Double W's made a winning start over fences at Carlisle but has been raised 7lb for that so we'll take a chance on APTERIX. He won on the Flat and also landed a bumper before developing into a decent handicap hurdler in the spring. The good ground will suit and his stable's jumpers could not be in better form.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, lost place before last, weakened, 6th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Mister Miyagi (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
Fou Et Sage (FR) (11-0) 2nd of 6, 4l behind Abakahn (11-0) at Craon 2m 5f lst gd in Sep.
Double W's (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating The Herds Garden (10-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
Apterix (FR) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 18th of 20, 18 1/4l behind Dannyday (9-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Solstice Star 8-1 (11-8) Keen early, led until after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after last bend, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat, not pace of winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mister Miyagi (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
