chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until 3 out, weakened before next
held up, closed from 5th, close 3rd 2 out, challenged before last, led narrowly flat, driven and headed towards finish
held up in rear, headway 3 out, close 4th last, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
led until 1st, chased winner until 6th, went 2nd again 3 out, led before 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, struggling 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, led 1st, clear 2nd until after 5th, not fluent 6th or 7th, headed before 2 out, soon led again, headed flat, driven to lead again towards finish
Nonrunner
This looks tricky but last year's winner BOWIE has his ground again and can stage an encore, despite a 5lb higher mark. Shear Rock is a danger, however, having finally come good at Bangor last month. Dynamo is getting closer and is another to consider while Kodicil has a decent record around here and is only 3lb higher than when scoring over course and distance last year. Yesyoucan won at Fontwell last month but doesn't appeal as the type to follow up under a penalty while Earls Quarter hasn't recorded a win over hurdles since 2011.
Earls Quarter (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Yesyoucan (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leader, led before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May beating Baths Well (10-8) by 6l, 14 ran.
Bowie (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, blundered last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sky Khan (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Scoglio 6-1 (11-1) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Adelar (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug '13.
Kodicil (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Raced wide, tracked leaders, chased winner 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Long House Hall (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Dynamo (IRE) 13-8 (10-10) Tracked clear leader, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Countersign (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Shear Rock (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Led after 1st, made rest, driven clear from 2 out, well in command when ridden out final 110 yards, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in May beating Monbeg Gold (11-0) by 13l, 8 ran.
Chemistry Master 33-1 (11-1) Last pair, tailed off 5th, never a factor, 6th of 9, well behind Party Palace (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
