tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace before last, no impression
mid-division, driven after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
always behind, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, no impression with front pair from next, lost 3rd towards finish
soon behind, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, hampered after 3rd, hit 6th, soon behind, no danger after
pulled hard, held up behind, headway when hung violently left and unrideable after 3rd, ran out before next
tracked leader to 4th, in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
reluctant start and slowly away, behind, headway 3 out, went 4th before next, kept on, took 3rd towards finish, never reached front pair
mid-division, driven and lost place 5th, lost touch and pulled up 7th
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
prominent on outside, tracked leader from 4th, led 3 out, driven clear before last, ridden out flat
Nonrunner
A wide-open renewal but BEAR'S AFFAIR got on well with Freddie Mitchell when going very close at Aintree last time and may go one better. At the other end of the handicap, Batavir steps up in class after scoring at Ascot but may still be ahead of the handicapper while better is expected from Junction Fourteen this season having run well at Newbury last time. Spirit Of Shankly was well beaten in Grade 3 company recently but has a shout at this level but Heronry is 9lb higher than his last win over hurdles back in March. Recent winners Letmego, Southfield Vic and Sporting Boy are all facing tougher tasks today but are not easily dismissed.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Dawalan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Spirit Of Shankly 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 16, 32l behind Aubusson (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Une Artiste (FR) 9-4fav (11-3) Settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, mistake 6 out, lost place next, soon no impression and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Jennies Jewel (10-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased winner, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd 2 out, rallied into 2nd again close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Tullyesker Hill (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Heronry (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Tracked leader, pushed along 10th, reminders before 13th, challenged 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden before and staying on when stumbled badly last, soon headed and not recover, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind George Fernbeck (11-0) at Southwell 3m nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Buck Magic (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, pushed along before 10th, reminders and weakening when blundered 12th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Gevrey Chambertin (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs, 10 ran.
Champagne At Tara 11-4 (10-12) Held up in rear, went 3rd after 4th, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden and hung left before 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Battle Born (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Oct.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, hard pressed flat, stayed on well towards finish, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Taigan (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Western Jo (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out to chase leaders, went 3rd 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 21l behind Extreme Impact (10-6) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Letemgo (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Made all, ridden before 2 out, soon pressed, kept on well before last, won at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov beating Neville (11-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Softsong (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Held up in touch in 4th, headway before 3 out, ridden before and left 3rd from last, kept on same pace, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 5, 10l behind Kashmir Peak (11-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl (2) sft.
Batavir (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Made virtually all, hit 6th, clear and in command from 2 out, easily, won at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft beating Spartan Angel (11-1) by 4l, 10 ran.
Southfield Vic (IRE) 2-5fav (10-12) Made virtually all, driven clear from 2 out, well in command when went right last, comfortably, won at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Rathlin Rose (10-12) by 13l, 9 ran.
Ambion Wood (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Always prominent, jumped right 5th, not fluent 10th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in Jun '13 beating Cock And Hen (11-0) by 2l, 4 ran.
