held up in touch in rear, closed 3 out, hampered on stands rail before last, soon switched left, went left at hurdle, hung left and kept on flat, unable to challenge
led, headed 2 out, no impression on winner final 150 yards but kept on well for 2nd
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led next, headed towards stands rail off last bend, ridden and stayed on well flat
took keen hold, held up in touch in rear, mistake 1st, closed 3 out, hampered towards stands rail before last, soon switched left, carried left at hurdle, switched right flat, kept on, no impression
tracked leaders, driven before last, soon pressed for 2nd, kept on flat, not pace to challenge
chased leaders, several slow jumps, lost place 4 out, weakened after 2 out
NonRunner
A splendid opener which sees a renewal of hostilities between Moon Racer and BALLYANDY, who clashed at Perth in September. Choosing between the pair is tough but with the Twiston-Davies charge now 4lb better off for a defeat of less than a length, he receives narrow preference. His handling of this track is also assured after his defeat of Battleford by the minimum margin in this year's Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the festival meeting. Keep In Line, a triple winner on the level for Godolphin, has made a fine transition to his new discipline and is fully deserving of this step-up in class and could well exploit any deficiencies in the aforementioned pair. The unbeaten Movewiththetimes and fascinating hurdling debutant What About Carlo, a six-times winner on the level, add further intrigue to a fine contest. Crosshue Boy was well beaten behind Peregrine Run at this level here on Friday.
Keep In Line (GER) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, took keen hold, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating Excellent Result (11-5) by 6l, 11 ran.
Mirsaale 12-1 (11-4) With leader, every chance 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed just after last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 3l behind El Bandit (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Moon Racer (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Chased clear leader, closed 4th, led before next, joined when went right 2 out, shaken up before last, strongly pressed until found bit extra close home, won at Perth 2m (4) sft in Sep beating Ballyandy (10-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Movewiththetimes (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear towards finish, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Oct beating Azzerti (10-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Ballyandy 11-10 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, 2nd approaching 5th, upsides when bumped and mistake 2 out, shaken up before the last, every chance run-in until found no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Moon Racer (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) sft in Sep.
What About Carlo (FR) 7-1 (9-5) Held up, in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Blair House (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Crosshue Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place after 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 9, 26l behind Peregrine Run (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
