held up in rear, ridden 3f out, well beaten over 2f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, ran on well
held up in 4th, went 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression
held up in mid-division, well beaten over 2f out
held up towards rear, took keen hold, effort 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, stayed on inside final 2f, went 4th over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leader until 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong
LIDAR sets the standard and is put forwards but it's hard to be confident with the likes of Ghizao and Lush Life in the field to name but two. Alan King has high hopes for the good looking son of Take Risks and he's expected to go to the top over hurdles. He didn't let the side down last year when winning a valuable, but weak, bumper at Doncaster before going close in a Grade 2 race at Aintree where he was possibly a shade unfortunate. Ghizao is held in very high regard by his yard and has been targeted at this race since winning very easily at Newton Abbot in August so this certainly won't be straightforward for Lidar who is entitled to need the run. Lush Life took a while to get the hang of things at Kempton but the penny dropped just in time and there should be more to come whilst Age Benefit has made a promising start to his career and hails from a yard that has enjoyed some success in this race. Midnight Tuesday may be better suited by the demands of this track than Aintree and has made a promising start to his career but he has plenty to find with the likes of Lidar who has earned the right to be selected.
Cresswell Pride 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway halfway, led over 2f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Island Oscar (11-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Ghizao (GER) 7-2 (11-0) With leaders, carried wide on bend before halfway, soon led, made rest, came well clear final 3f, pushed right out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Aug beating Danimix (11-6) by 24l, 10 ran.
Lidar (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind Sitting Tennant (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Red Not Blue (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 5f out, soon pushed along, rallied over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Chain Of Command (11-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Chain Of Command (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Red Not Blue (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Master Beau 3-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 4f, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 9l behind Bold Addition (10-9) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gs in May.
Midnight Tuesday (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, smooth headway over 4f out, joined leaders on bit over 2f out, shaken up and every chance over 1f out, ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Alverstone 10-3fav (11-5) Made all, clear over 2f out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f N H flat (6) gd in Oct beating Madame Jasmine (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Captive Audience (IRE) 11-8 (12-0) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Tramore 2m N H flat gd in Oct beating Whats On The Menu (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Lush Life (IRE) 10-11fav (10-13) Raced green in touch, nudged along after 3f, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Fidelis (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Age Benefit (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Soon led, strongly pressed entering straight, headed over 1f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Summit Meeting (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Oct.
Ajloun (USA) Distorted Humor colt out of English Bay.
Banjo Davis (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outer, headway into 5th 4f out, progress to lead over 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, reduced advantage close home, won at Wexford 2m mares NH flat sft in Oct beating Lonesome Dove (11-5) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
