tracked leaders, lost place 5th, last and reminders next, well beaten after
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden from 3 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace, lost 3rd towards finish
tracked leader, challenged 5th, led 3 out, headed after next, no extra flat
held up in rear, jumped right 3rd, headway after 4 out, challenged 2 out, driven flat, led post
held up, headway before 6th, ridden and one pace 2 out, no extra before last
held up, headway from 5th, challenged 2 out, soon led, hard pressed flat, headed post
tracked leaders on inside, lost place 4 out, jumped left 2 out, rallied last, ran on, went 3rd towards finish
led, ridden and headed 3 out, 4th and looked beaten when fell next
Nonrunner
Valco De Touzaine is better known as a chaser but he was fourth over hurdles at Taunton off this mark in April and his stable has won this twice in the last seven years. First Avenue was successful off this mark 12 months ago but there was plenty of give in the ground that day and he's not as effective on this surface. Flying Light has remained in good form since scoring at Exeter in March and should be thereabouts again but Aficionado couldn't cope with a higher mark at Fakenham on New Year's Day and has his first start since. Lava Lamp has been raised 4lb for his second at Ludlow but will have needed that run and isn't out of this but Rumble Of Thunder has been treading water on the Flat recently. MILE HOUSE never threatened on his reappearance in a Grade 3 at Aintree but that was his first run since October. He looked a decent prospect on good going in the autumn and can land this ahead of the even less-exposed Perspicace.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Enchanted Garden (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Jul.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch in rear, tracked leaders when mistake 4 out, challenged between rivals when not much room 2 out, led narrowly last, soon ridden, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Opening Batsman (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Apr.
Mile House (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 4 out, behind before next, 20th of 21, well behind Theinval (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Flying Light (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, bumped 5th, headway 7th, switched left after last, challenged final 75 yards, led briefly close home, headed last strides, 2nd of 9, nk behind Highpower (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Perspicace 9-2 (10-13) Chased winner, pushed along and held when mistake 2 out, soon lost 2nd, no extra, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Arzal (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Aficionado 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Minstrels Gallery (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Skint 25-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 10, 50l behind Hollow Penny (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Lava Lamp (GER) 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders on outside, effort 3 out, ridden to chase winner before last, switched left flat, kept on, always held, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Double Silver (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Bathwick Man 20-1 (11-11) Chased leading pair until pushed along before 3rd, lost place 5th, struggling in rear, next, tailed off in 5th when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Iora Glas (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May, 7 ran.
First Avenue 8-1 (11-12) Held up in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by One Lucky Lady (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
