took keen hold, led, set steady pace, driven before last, soon ridden, headed and not pace of winner flat
held up in 3rd, driven and lost place after 2 out, weakened flat
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway 3 out, effort on inside last, ridden and weakened flat
held up in 4th, headway on outside 3 out, effort last, driven to lead flat, soon ridden clear, ran on
took keen hold, held up in last pair, close up when not fluent 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, no impression
tracked leader, driven after 2 out, one pace when mistake last, no impression in 3rd flat
Nonrunner
History tells us that a few of these are likely to do better over fences in time but Blaklion looks a smart recruit to hurdling, making a winning start at Perth and following up in the Persian War at Chepstow. That's earned him a penalty but he's unlikely to be far away. Fruits Of Molly has plenty to find, however, and Champagne West will need more than when beaten at Aintree. Port Melon was third in this last year but only had one subsequent run, albeit in a Grade 1, when finishing tailed off. Parlour Games was easily brushed aside in a Listed contest at Kempton last time and Upsandowns probably hasn't beaten much so far. MINELLA PRESENT takes a big step up in class but is highly progressive and has a turn of foot. He may just be the value in this Grade 2.
Blaklion 8-1 (11-4) Close up, led 5 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct beating Vicente (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Fruits Of Molly (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Towards rear in 5th, headway 6 out, pushed along approaching straight, quickly eased approaching 2 out and pulled up, in a race won by Talk The Lingo (11-10) at Cork 3m nh nov hdl in Oct, 6 ran.
Minella Present (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) Led 1st, clear 3rd, not fluent 5th, 3 lengths ahead 3 out, drew further ahead from last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Coologue (10-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Parlour Games 9-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, joined leading pair on inside after 3 out, every chance when not fluent next, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression with winner from last, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Blue Heron (11-4) at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Oct.
Champagne Present (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) In rear, headway to go 3rd before 2 out, switched right before last, led run-in, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 5, ns behind Chicoria (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Port Melon (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 9th, hampered on bend after 4 out, soon well beaten, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Beat That (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr.
Upsanddowns (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, clear from 6th, jumped right 3 out and 2 out, ridden and pressed run-in, held on towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Georgie Lad (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
