held up in touch on outside, went 2nd 3 out, switched left after 2 out, joined winner when fell last
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before 6th until 3 out, outpaced and not fluent 2 out, no impression, when left 3rd and hampered last
chased leaders, went 2nd before 5th until before next, switched left after final bend, went 3rd but held when left 2nd last, stayed on
held up in rear, pecked 2 out, closed on placed horses after final bend but no impression on front pair, slightly hampered last, no impression
chased leader until before 5th, soon outpaced, well beaten from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
made all, not fluent 5th, joined when left clear last, reduced lead towards finish but just pushed out
NonRunner
On The Blind Side has won at this level but not since 2017 and is the senior runner in this. Brewin'upastorm won the National Spirit at Fontwell last season but is closely matched with runner-up McFabulous on today’s revised terms. However, Olly Murphy’s charge did reappear with a victory at Aintree in November. Stormy Ireland is a smart mare on her day but the progressive GUARD YOUR DREAMS did well to land the Unibet here three weeks ago considering he is almost certainly better over this longer trip, as advertised by an earlier third to Buzz at Ascot.
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 5th, led 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov beating If The Cap Fits (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Guard Your Dreams 5-1 (11-0) Handy, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, regained lead after 2 out, soon pressed and ridden, headed narrowly before last, stayed on grimly to rally and lead again 1f out on run-in, pressed close home, held on gamely (hand time), won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Dec beating Song For Someone (11-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
McFabulous (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Handy on outside, shaken up 3 out, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, weakened flat, 8th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Abacadabras (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Dans Le Vent (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort and headway into mid-division before 4 out, went 6th 3 out, shaken up in 3rd after 2 out, pressed leaders last, ridden and stayed on strongly to lead 110 yards on run-in, won going away, won at Haydock 3m hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Riggs (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
On The Blind Side (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, headed and tracked leader 5th, ridden after 3 out and gradually lost place, well held from 2 out, 6th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Champ (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Led, increased advantage before 2nd where mistake, soon clear, reduced lead halfway, not fluent at 7th, pressed 4 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 36l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Indefatigable (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, went 4th after 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, pushed along and pressed leaders approaching last, ridden and stayed on well to press winner all the way to line, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Martello Sky (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
