with leaders, led 6th until 13th, chased leader until after 3 out, chased leading pair, ridden and outpaced before next, mistake last, weakened into 4th run-in
raced wide, chased leaders, lost place and behind 7th, never on terms after, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
with leader, chased new leader 6th, led 13th, ridden and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
mistakes, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, blundered next, hit 11th and reminders, 4th and held when blundered 4 out, eased and pulled up approaching 2 out
led until headed and dropped to 3rd 6th, chased leading pair, ridden before 2 out, went modest 3rd run-in
held up in last pair, mistake 5th, headway chasing leaders approaching 10th, pushed along and outpaced after 13th, weakened 14th
jumped well, held up in rear, steady headway on inside chasing leaders approaching 11th, 3rd before 14th, led going well before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well
BEARS RAILS returned to form when just missing out at Uttoxeter last month. Colin Tizzard’s chaser is preferred to Frank N Fair, who has been raised 9lb for winning over track and trip a fortnight ago when Talk Of The South unseated. Leith Hill Lad also posted a better effort when placed at Stratford last time and can race off the same mark. He makes more appeal than Riddlestown, who notched-up a four-timer earlier this year but remains 7lb higher and hasn’t raced since June, while City Supreme makes his seasonal debut having won a novices’ handicap over these fences in February.
City Supreme (IRE) 18-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Kelvingrove (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Riddlestown (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 4 out, 4th and well held 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 21 1/2l behind Court King (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Bears Rails 8-1 (11-7) With leader, led after 5 out, headed 3 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, kept on gamely run-in, just held post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Krackatoa King (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Leith Hill Lad 8-1 (11-9) Handily placed, not fluent 10th, close 2nd when not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd last, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Play The Ace (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Talk Of The South (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Led narrowly, blundered and headed 4 out, narrow 2nd when blundered and unseated rider next, at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Velvet Cognac 6-1 (11-9) Chased clear leader, driven to take closer order 5 out, weakened before 2 out, left in 4th at last, stayed on well closing stages, 4th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Cap Horner (11-13) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Frank N Fair 14-1 (10-2) Held up in last pair, took closer order 13th, tracked front pair when left in clear lead after 3 out, unchallenged after, eased flat, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Amberjam (11-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
