always prominent, led after 4 out, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, rallied gamely to lead again flat, driven out (flag start)
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders, 4 out, chased winner 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden before last, headed flat, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up soon after
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on to 3rd before last, no chance with leading duo
soon towards rear, struggling before 3 out, stayed on again flat
chased leaders, challenged on inside 3 out, every chance when fell next
led, had a good look at 1st, soon clear, reduced lead 4th, headed after next, weakened rapidly before 3 out, tailed off
prominent, weakened rapidly before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
chased leaders, disputing 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened and hit last
held up in rear, never in contention, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after
Nonrunner
Celestial Halo makes a rare appearance in a handicap and, unsurprisingly, has to concede a lot of weight to his rivals. He is probably just short of top class nowadays and, subsequently, difficult to place though was left clear to win the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton two runs ago when Grandouet fell and will ensure this is run at a good gallop. Tuesday's Kempton winner Lifestyle looks vulnerable under a penalty, while fellow recent scorers Torphichen and Tenor Nivernais may also find this company too hot. But the in-form Ubi Ace has travelled down from Yorkshire again after winning at Sandown earlier this month and has claims along with Olofi, who hasn't had much luck since winning at Cheltenham two years ago and ran another fine race behind Brampour at that track last month. RIGIDITY had some decent form for Edward O'Grady in Ireland last season and has settled in well to his new surroundings. His close-up second in a Listed event at Ascot two weeks ago was another step in the right direction and he can go one better in this.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked winner, pushed along before 4 out, soon went 3rd, no impression, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Overturn (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Torphichen 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, led before 4 out, ridden clear before last, won at Exeter 2m 1f grad ch (2) hvy beating Rougham (11-4) by 4l, 4 ran.
Lifestyle 5-1 (11-11) Held up in touch on inside, smooth headway on bit to track leaders before 2 out, led 2 out, pushed readily clear flat, eased close home, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs beating Higgy's Ragazzo (11-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Ruler Of All (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Always prominent, travelling best in 2nd before straight, gained narrow lead approaching last, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, all out, won at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) sft in Mar beating Organisedconfusion (10-12) by shd, 7 ran.
Ubi Ace 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, ridden between last 2, hard pressed flat, held on near finish, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs beating Via Galilei (11-7) by nk, 12 ran.
Rigidity 40-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leader 2 out, every chance last, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Raya Star (10-1) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft.
Olofi (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, effort on stands side rail approaching last, soon every chance, ridden and stayed on flat, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 23, 2 1/2l behind Brampour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Joined leader after 1st, led narrowly 3rd, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Al Ferof (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
