tracked leader, challenging when pecked 2nd, soon led, clear from 2 out, easily
mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
led, not fluent 2nd, soon headed, prominent, not fluent 4th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out until before 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway 3 out, went 3rd from 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders on outside, lost place after 3rd, not fluent next, well behind 5th, tailed off
held up in rear, last 3rd, behind next
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway going well 3 out, lost place before next and no impression after
chased leaders on inside, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, weakened before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, went 4th last, kept on
Vexed hinted at ability on the level but may need the experience. Magic Shuffle has only run once over hurdles so far but did win on the Flat earlier this month. Blakeney Point won a Listed race at Chester in 2018 but made no impression on his hurdles bow at Doncaster, though has had a wind operation since. Grey Spirit, a three-times winner on the Flat, was a warm order on his jumping debut at Uttoxeter but didn’t appear to last home. Empty Quarter was progressive in bumpers and is bred for jumping but we’ll take a chance on CHESTNUT PETE. Though outclassed at Cheltenham on his final start last year, he was only beaten 10 lengths and a repeat of that effort would suffice here.
Blakeney Point 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Baron De Midleton (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Chestnut Pete 200-1 (11-0) Held up behind, ridden after 3 out, kept on under pressure after last, never nearer, 5th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Heaven Help Us (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gs in Oct.
Down To The Sea (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Started slowly, held up in rear, never on terms,, 10th of 14, dist behind Rhosneigr (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Empty Quarter 4-1 (11-2) In touch, effort to challenge over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon one pace, no chance with easy winner final furlong, 2nd of 13, 13l behind Tupelo Mississippi (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (5) Slow in Feb.
Grey Spirit (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 4 out, shaken up and beaten after 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 6th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Timoshenko (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Test Valley (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio and off the pace, bit closer at 5th, plugged on in modest 4th from 3 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Perfect Grace (10-5) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
The Mayne Man (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) In rear, slow 2nd, well behind from 5th, not fluent next, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Captain Tom Cat (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Magic Shuffle (IRE) 3-1 (9-8) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, wide and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Songkran (9-12) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Piano Stairs (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in last trio, mistake 2nd, left remote 3rd at the last, never on terms, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Perfect Grace (10-5) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Vexed 6-4fav (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, always just held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Colwood (9-12) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Lyrical Ballad (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, chased leaders, not much room 3rd, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 26l behind Pogo I Am (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Jul.
