not too keen to jump off, soon in rear, blundered 4th, tailed off and pulled up 7th
held up in touch, went handy 4th 8th, 3rd before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden and upsides last, every chance run-in, no extra in closing stages
tracked leading pair, tracked leader 2nd until approaching 4 out, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, ridden between last two, plugged on run-in
never fluent, held up in 6th, mistake 4th, hit next, pushed along and struggling in last before 8th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, driven and stayed on between last two, 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in
mistakes, mistake 1st, chased leading trio until 8th, remained handy 5th, blundered 4 out, ridden before 2 out, driven disputing 4th and one pace between last two, plugged on from last
tracked leader until 2nd, chased leading pair, hit 5th, 2nd again approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, joined last, strongly pressed and edged left run-in, battled on gamely and found extra close home
sometimes jumped left, led, went left 4 out and next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened badly and eased when went badly left last
Back By Midnight surged clear at Sandown earlier this month but could find this a little tougher off an 8lb higher mark. I’DLIKETHEOPTION won over this trip at Ludlow in October and possibly didn’t get home when fourth subsequently over 2m3f at Doncaster. Reunited with Barry Geraghty, this looks an opportunity to get back on track. Imperial Presence was a promising second at Exeter on his chasing bow but his jumping let him down and he probably went off too quickly when only fifth at Newbury. On collateral form, he may have a bit to find with Red Devil Star. Dubawi Island could figure if fully wound-up.
Dubawi Island (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, on outside, lost place and behind 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Champagne At Tara 10-1 (11-8) Held up, towards rear, struggling after 11th, 7th of 13, dist behind Pobbles Bay (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Imperial Presence (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Knockgraffon (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, hampered 9th, headway when not fluent 11th, 2nd before 2 out until last, no extra flat, 4th of 7, 6 3/4l behind Gold Present (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Mister Spingsprong (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Made most until approaching 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Red Devil Star (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Mostly tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd and 8th, went 2nd 3 out until ridden before next, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Back By Midnight (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Back By Midnight 10-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, made all, hit 5th, clear 7th, hit 9th and next (4 out), pushed along and in command before 2 out, stayed on strongly to go further clear after last, unchallenged, won at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Gores Island (11-10) by 9l, 7 ran.
