mostly led and disputed from 3rd, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd mistake and slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on same pace, weakened run-in
mid-division, pushed along and weakened after 4 out
held up and behind, closer on outside when carried badly left 4 out, rallied before 2 out, driven and kept on run-in, went never nearer 4th post
led until 3rd, chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
jumped left at times, chased leaders, led and disputed from 4th, joined 3 out, narrowly headed between last 2, rallied gamely under pressure to lead again run-in
held up towards rear, closer in mid-division at 10th, weakened before 4 out
chased leaders, jumped badly left 4 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, led after 3rd until jumped slowly and headed next, chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, plugged on run-in, no threat
always towards rear, never on terms
in rear and struggling after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
slightly hampered start, soon chasing leaders, slight error 12th, went right and hit 3 out, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out where went right, led narrowly between last 2, headed and stayed on same pace run-in
veered left and slowly away, headway chasing leaders after 3rd, mistake and reminder 6th, weakened before 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
NonRunner
Midnight Magic has only won once in 21 starts but would have gone close to doubling his tally at Exeter but for falling 2 out. He could have done without a 2lb rise and has to concede 13lb to HURRICANE ARCADIO, who tackles the trip for the first time but wasn't stopping when a close third over 2m4f at Wincanton and Tom Scudamore replaces an amateur. Out For Justice was in good form in the summer but could find the ground too testing while Bolving has now been beaten five times from this mark. Strictlyadancer, a winner over timber at Folkestone on New Year's Day, bounced back to form at Southwell last month and if the going turns heavy could provide the main threat.
Midnight Magic 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, good headway chasing leaders 11th, 3rd at 13th, 2nd going well before 4 out, every chance when fell 2 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Minella Examiner 6-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, chased winner after 2 out until ridden between last 2, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Oriental Cross (12-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Out For Justice (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Legend Of Zorro (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Bolving (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, lost place and behind 12th, headway into 4th after 3 out, ridden and rallied after last, just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Cuban Pete (11-3) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
From The Heart (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden and headway 3 out, chased clear winner last, no chance, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Master Vintage (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Fenlons Court (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden before 15th, soon struggling, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Strictlyadancer (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Raced on inside, tracked leader until 6th, handy 3rd, going well before 3 out, 2nd soon after 3 out, ridden between last 2, challenged and every chance run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Nautical Twilight (12-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Robyndzone (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, weakening when mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 15 3/4l behind Mr Love (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Hahadi (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, stayed handy, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 13, 17l behind Dan Gun (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Miss Zip (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Arqalina (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Troed Y Melin (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased winner until pushed along after 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 6f (4) sft in Nov.
Ruffling Feathers (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Soon in touch in mid-division, headway on outside 5th, not fluent 8th, lost place before 3 out, 6th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Adherence (11-12) at Taunton 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Hurricane Arcadio (IRE) 7-2cfav (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on strongly after last, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Kilbrew Boy (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
