led until 4th, disputed lead until led again before 2 out, headed closing stages, no extra
held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms
held up in touch, slow 2nd and 3rd, soon chasing leaders, hung left from halfway, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
chased leaders, hard driven after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when fell 2 out
prominent, led 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened before last
prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out
Venetia Williams continues in good form but Saroque hasn't shown much in bumpers or maidens over timber and is asked to concede weight all round on his handicap debut. Badgers Retreat produced two reasonable efforts on good ground at Sedgefield but has struggled badly in much softer going and takes a big drop in trip. Aye Well almost pulled off the shock of the season when a close runner-up to Bonnie Burnett at Ayr and it was no surprise when he struggled at Aintree subsequently while Oscar Stanley failed to last home over 2m6f at Sedgefield after a promising run at Carlisle. Notonebuttwo needs massive improvement so this can go to ONE FOR LUCK, who was travelling best of all at this trip when sent over 2m4f at Doncaster but faded when headed.
Saroque (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 15l behind Moscow Presents (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Badgers Retreat 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, weakened from 8th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Green Flag (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Oct.
Aye Well 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, headway next, ridden and weakened after 8th, well beaten before 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Master Of The Sea (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Oscar Stanley (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, under pressure approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Gougane (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
One For Luck 8-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, challenged 4 out, led before 3 out, headed last, no extra run-in, 5th of 13, 8l behind Killimore Cottage (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Notonebuttwo (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, soon chased leaders, with leader 6th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 42l behind Dun To Perfection (9-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
