mid-division, driven to chase leaders briefly after 3 out, never on terms, weakened next
tracked leading pair, effort to challenge on outside 2 out, soon led, driven clear before last, drew right away flat, comfortably
tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never troubled leading trio
held up in rear, driven and headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, never reached leaders
led, joined 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner flat, ridden and held on for 2nd near finish
tracked leader, challenged and every chance on inside 2 out, one pace between last 2, kept on to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
mid-division, driven and outpaced after 3 out, no impression before next
mid-division, driven after 3 out, never on terms, weakened before last
Point-to-point winner, CHAMPAGNE WEST, had excuses when well beaten on his recent hurdling bow at Exeter. A much better effort is expected with normal luck in-running and Philip Hobbs' charge is just preferred to Beat That. The latter makes his hurdling debut on his first start since April while Knock House won a bumper at Huntingdon in the same month. Brother Brian has had a recent outing at Cheltenham and is related to a couple of hurdles winners while Bodega won an all-weather bumper at Lingfield back in February and should go well. Sybarite has won a string of point-to-points since last racing under Rules in March 2012 and has the past form to go close.
Ballyhooley Boy (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, went 2nd after 4th, led well before 2 out, already headed when blundered 2 olut, weakened quickly, 5th of 8, 25l behind John Reel (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Beat That (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th before straight, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 14l behind Lots Of Memories (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 2f N H flat sft in Apr.
Bodega 25-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway on outside over 1f out, avoided all the scrimmaging and stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Lingfield 2m n h flat (6) std in Feb beating Exotic Friend (11-4) by 1l, 12 ran.
Brother Brian (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, shaken up 3f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 18, 12l behind Carningli (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gs in Oct.
Champagne West (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, blundered badly and lost place 5th, not recover and soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Rydon Pynes (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs.
Knock House (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) In touch, chased leaders over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Keltic Rhythm (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Noble Friend (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division in well strung out field, headway before 5th, 4th from 3 out until weakened before 2 out, 5th of 13, 27l behind Ashdown Lad (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Sybarite (FR) 11-10 (12-5) Hdwy 13; led 3 out; stayed on wl, won at Worcestershire 3m 2f ptp gd in Apr beating What A Laugh (12-5) by 3l, 7 ran.
Vikekhal (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place, last of 10, 28l behind Pleasant Company (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gs.
