chased leaders, hit 3rd, every chance 2 out, no extra in 3rd before left in modest 2nd at the last
in touch on inside, blundered 3 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold tracking leaders, challenged 2 out, led before last, about 1 length ahead when fell last
held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, no chance after
mostly tracked leader, slight peck 4th, led before 3 out until hit 3 out and headed, rallied to regain lead 2 out, headed before last, about 1 length down and driven when left in clear lead at the last, last, driven out
took keen hold, held up in last pair, pushed along and beaten before 2 out
took keen hold in rear, pushed along and struggling before 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in 6th, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out until 2 out, weakened into 4th before last, left in modest 3rd and hit last
led until before 3 out, ridden and weakening when not much room and hit rail on bend before 2 out, left in poor 4th last
Nonrunner
A spell over fences may have blunted Ballybriggan's speed a little but he goes well fresh and his yard has won this twice in the last six years - the 10-year-old won off this mark in 2012. John Ferguson had three entered at the four-day stage but relies on CURZON LINE who gets the nod. He didn't handle soft ground at Southwell when last seen but won on good going at Ludlow earlier having chased home the useful Ballyalton on his hurdling debut. Chalk It Down is only 4lb higher than when a close second to the in-form Dovils Date at Newton Abbot and has to go on the short-list but the handicapper has done Wetherby second Fantasy King no favours and Dresden is still paying the price for last summer's win at Stratford.
Fantasy King 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before and hit 3 out, kept on and no impression with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Master Red (11-6) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Ballybriggan (IRE) 15-8fav (11-11) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Alderbrook Lad (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 4 ran.
Dresden (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inside, headway 6th, mistake 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 9, 7l behind August Hill (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Curzon Line 3-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, made most, driven and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 44l behind Key To The West (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4yo nov stks (4) sft in Nov.
Chalk It Down (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, ridden before 2 out, every chance last when mistake, not quicken run-in, 2nd of 7, nk behind Dovils Date (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Hung Parliament (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in last, modest progress before 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 6, 30l behind Paradise Valley (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Marju's Quest (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In rear and keen, weakened from 3 out, last of 7, 27l behind Dovils Date (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Gracchus (USA) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division on inside, pushed along before 4th, soon lost place, kept on again from 2 out, soon ridden, went 3rd approaching last, one pace and no impression run-in, weakened into 4th towards finish, 4th of 11, 8l behind Nothing Is Forever (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
Lucky Prince 20-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led after 3rd (normal 4 out), pushed along bypassing omitted 3 out, headed bypassing omitted next, ridden and no extra in 3rd before omitted last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Rafafie (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
The Pier (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) In touch in rear, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, headway next, not clear run approaching last, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 9l behind Dormouse (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
