held up, mistake 6th, reminders approaching 7th, soon struggling, tailed off
chased leaders, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, regained lead 2 out, stayed on, headed towards finish
chased leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, soon reminders and struggling, tailed off 2 out
always behind
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression approaching last
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace flat
held up towards rear, ridden after 2 out, no impression
held up in touch, one pace from 2 out, weakened flat
always towards rear
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching last, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up mid-division, weakened approaching last when not fluent
led to 3rd, chased leader, ridden after 2 out, one pace when pecked last
It was not a particularly good contest that MORESTEAD won at Plumpton last month but he won it in comfortable fashion and this is no stronger so Brendan Powell's gelding is taken to follow up here in a race where the main dangers look to be Moon Melody and Fred Bojangals. The last mentioned has been running consistently well at Sedgefield in his last three starts and would have every chance if able to reproduce that form here. Robert Johnson's Uptown Lad ran better at Market Rasen last time but needs to improve again on that effort to get involved here, while Ferdy Murphy's Barton Sun is probably best watched on his reappearance. Martin Todhunter's Longdale is better over hurdles than fences and of more interest may be the Evan Williams-trained Moon Melody, who has shown ability over fences from limited opportunities. There was plenty to like about the way that Morestead won at Plumpton though and he can follow up that success.
Moon Melody (GER) 16-1 (11-12) With leaders and keen, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind She's No Muppet (10-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sep.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Took keen hold in touch, improved 9th, chased winner 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Perpetuum (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
Morestead (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Led 2nd, made rest, well clear from 10th, kept on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep beating Milesian King (11-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Held up, pushed along 7th, kept on from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Max Bygraves (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Longdale 14-1 (10-6) Held up, chased leaders after 3 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Bijou Dan (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) In touch, lost place quickly 4th, never dangerous after, 10th of 11, well behind Flaming Heck (10-1) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Rexmehead (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 29l behind More Equity (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Ravenscar 15-2 (10-1) Held up in touch, reminder 6th, chased leader 8th, pushed along after 4th, no impression after 3 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Max Bygraves (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Barton Sun (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Behind, pushed along after 8th, never dangerous, 8th of 14, well behind Ross Leader (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Panthers Run 28-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 9l behind Sarahs Gift (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep.
Red Dawn (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Led until approaching 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 11, 36l behind Sarahs Gift (10-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Bullies Acre (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, led 2 out, soon headed, weakened last, last of 8, 14l behind Norminster (11-7) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
