jumped well, led until 4th, led again 8th, driven clear 2 out, ran on well
mid-division, headway 11th, chased leaders 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, lost place 8th, mistake and hampered 10th, rallied 5 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure, never a threat
always behind, pulled up after 5 out
in rear when fell 2nd
held up towards rear, struggling 7th, soon behind, pulled up 5 out
in touch when fell 10th
behind, mistake 1st, hampered 10th, headway 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, led 4th, headed 8th, rallying when mistake 3 out, kept on same pace after next
chased leaders, hard ridden 3 out, weakened after next
Play The Ace has won three times since June but all of those victories came at Stratford and he's on a career-high mark now. MASTER BURBIDGE ended the last campaign on a high and made a winning start over fences at Sedgefield. He makes his reappearance on a 9lb higher mark but, only six, should have plenty more to offer. Achille hasn't raced in almost two years but had useful form in France for previous connections and would be a threat to all if fully wound-up. Cody Wyoming is potentially well treated and was second at Ffos Las last month and Dance Floor King has a good record here and will have needed his reappearance.
Play The Ace (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Led until before 2nd, not fluent 4th, led next, jumped right 8th, driven out flat, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Beau Du Brizais (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Achille (FR) 11-2 (11-8) In touch, tracked leaders 13th, driven and stayed on same pace in 4th from 2 out, weakened into 5th towards finish, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Dance Floor King (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Raced wide, chased leaders until not fluent and lost place 8th, towards rear 10th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Orbasa (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Cody Wyoming 12-1 (12-2) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, effort 3 out, soon beaten, kept on under pressure to go 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Patricks Park (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Foundation Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 6th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Orbasa (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, blundered and lost place 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Go Conquer (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Master Burbidge 11-8fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 8 out, went 2nd from 5 out, challenged 2 out, led last, held on towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Rolling Thunder (11-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Take A Break (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, driven to challenge 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Truckers Highway (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Turban (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped left 1st, not fluent when towards rear 7th, not fluent and reminder next, behind 13th, 8th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Enjoy Responsibly (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Triple Chief (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, plugged on into 3rd before 2 out, 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Mr Medic (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
