with leader, tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before 5th, led before 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, weakened after 4th
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on from last
tracked leaders, soon with leader, led after 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway after 3 out on inner, no extra before last
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, pushed along and soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along 5th, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on after last
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, weakened after 3 out
led, headed after 3rd, weakened soon after
in rear, headway before 2 out, disputing 3rd when blundered last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in touch, chased winner after last, kept on
tracked leaders, pushed along before 4th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, kept on towards towards finish
A real cracker of a contest with Australia Day attempting to give weight all around and Paul Webber's nine-year-old should arrive here at the top of his game having had a couple of pipe openers on the level. Solaras Exhibition has been in rude health of late with victories at Ffos Las and Sedgefield, and a lucrative away day on the Flat at Chester. Tim Vaughan's four-year-old has the right profile for a race of this stature but at the likely odds, we will take him on with LOCAL HERO. Trained locally by Steve Gollings, he ran a career best when chasing home Raya Star in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, and the 10lb that Paul Bohan is able to take off should prove a big help to his chances. Street Entertainer and Rajnagan, who were fourth and fifth in last year's renewal, attempt to go better whilst Oceana Gold, who recently won over fences, should enjoy a return to the hustle and bustle of a big field.
Australia Day (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Jumped violently right, led until 6th, mistake and lost touch 8th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Sprinter Sacre (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Local Hero (GER) 11-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led before last, headed run-in, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Raya Star (11-6) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Oceana Gold 7-2fav (10-10) Mistakes, prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 6, 9l behind Rio Gael (10-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Rajnagan (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, pecked slightly 6th, headway 4 out, challenged going well 2 out, not fluent last, soon ridden, ran on to lead post, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun beating Temple Lord (10-10) by shd, 6 ran.
Katchmore (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon beaten, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 7, 10l behind Solaras Exhibition (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jun.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 21, 23l behind Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Solaras Exhibition (IRE) 9-4fav (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, led after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jun beating Caravel (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Maoi Chinn Tire (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in last, not fluent, hit 7th, headway 4 out, closed on bend turning for home, nipped up inside to lead towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Jun beating Mike Towey (10-12) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Absinthe (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway on inside 6th, led 2 out, ridden and edged right last, edged right flat, all out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in May beating Cavite Eta (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Alazan (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Behind, headway when not fluent 3 out, soon chased leaders, weakened before last, 13th of 23, 18l behind Brampour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Red Inca 9-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 13, 29l behind Lexi's Boy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Apr.
The Tiddly Tadpole 11-1 (12-0) In rear, headway before 2 out, went 4th before last, soon ridden, no impression, 4th of 14, 18l behind Fashionable Gal (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Dealing River 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders and keen, ridden before last, chased winner towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Fashionable Gal (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Kian's Delight 9-4 (11-2) Led, ridden after 2 out, hard pressed last, soon headed, led again flat, stayed on gamely, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jun beating Clarion Call (10-9) by nk, 4 ran.
King's Counsel (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, reminders after 5th, lost touch from next, last of 5, 38l behind Laterly (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Kayaan 14-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division and keen, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Greyfriars Drummer (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Court In Session (IRE) 5-4 (11-5) Led, jumped right from 4 out, headed last, ridden flat, kept on run-in, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Eastlake (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) gd in May.
