in rear, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden before 2 out and faded
led, headed and tracked leader before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 3 out
towards rear mid-division, pushed along 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway to press leaders approaching 3 out, pushed along and every chance last, ridden run-in, faded closing stages
towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, went 4th approaching last, ridden run-in and took 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden before last, hung left and kept on
chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and drew clear after last, readily
mid-division, pushed along and went prominent 3 out, ridden before 2 out and soon held
handy, raced keenly, led before 4 out, headed and weakened tamely before 3 out, tailed off
African Sun created a 40/1 shock to land a first hurdling success at Uttoxeter this month, proving half a length too good for the re-opposing Annual Review. It's all a question of if he can repeat the dose but Annual Review is far better of at the weights now, can reverse placings and go close. However, he may not have the scope of GREYSTOKE (NAP) who gives the impression he's better than his last two runs after scoring at Newton Abbot in May. Carn A Chlamain was tailed off here just five days ago, so it's intriguing to see Tom Lacey bring him back so quickly in a similar affair with first-time blinkers applied. He's worth keeping an eye on. Halifax has yet to oblige over hurdles but hasn't shaped too badly and it's still early days.
Halifax (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, outpaced when mistake 3 out, kept on flat, no impression, 5th of 8, 12 1/2l behind El Borracho (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Carn A Chlamain (USA) 20-1 (11-8) Jumped badly left 1st, mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened tamely, last of 7, dist behind Noahthirtytwored (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Greystoke 5-2jfav (10-12) Held up in 4th on inside, headway 2 out, challenged last, edged left and led flat, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Vorashann (12-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Annual Review (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Always handy, led over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind African Sun (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Land Of My Delight (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, awkward and weakened next, 5th of 10, 9 1/4l behind At A Pinch (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Crews Pitch 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, well held before last, 5th of 10, 13 3/4l behind No Recollection (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Denable 15-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd travelling well 4f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and narrowly headed inside final furlong, stayed on to take 3rd post, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Scudamore (9-11) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
African Sun (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Raced keenly, soon led, headed after 3f, led again 9f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, led again close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Annual Review (11-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Half Nelson 200-1 (11-0) In rear, detached 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Apr.