held up towards rear on inside, smooth headway 3 out, challenged last, ridden to lead briefly flat, no extra in 3rd towards finish
mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, challenged after 2 out, led narrowly when pecked last, ridden and rallied when headed briefly flat, just held on
mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, every chance towards stands side last, ridden and stayed on well towards finish, just held
raced keenly, in touch, led 4 out, headed last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
tracked leaders, driven and lost place 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, ridden after next, weakened before last
mid-division, blundered 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace before last, never on terms
in rear, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on into mid-division approaching last, never near leaders
led, not fluent and headed 4 out, outpaced next, weakened before last
held up behind, hampered on outside 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on to chase leaders before last, never on terms
held up towards rear, outpaced when mistake 2 out, never able to challenge
in touch on inside, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, effort last, kept on same pace, no impression flat
mid-division on outside, mistake and hampered 3 out, outpaced next, never on terms
Nonrunner
Hammersly Lake is Nicky Henderson's only runner here today and was one of three entered from the yard in this race at the four-day stage. He's better than he's shown so far but lacks experience and a recent run. Mountain King rattled up a hat-trick last winter and has scope for further improvement while Citizenship has slipped down the weights. Purple 'n Gold has been knocking on the door but, like Swantykay, might not appreciate the easy ground though is still preferred to stablemate Street Entertainer. VIBRATO VALTAT has a touch of class and can concede all round with the promising Sean Bowen taking off 6lb. The five-year-old won a Listed contest at Exeter in February and ran a fine race when third in the Grade 3 Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May when last seen.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 10-3fav (10-10) Held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 6th, went 2nd 2 out, coaxed along to challenge flat, driven and found little towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Ballyglasheen (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in May.
Roman Flight (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, kept on into mid-division after last, never reached leaders, 7th of 17, 14l behind Exitas (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Hammersly Lake (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along 3 out, in touch when fell next, in a race won by Dunraven Storm (11-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Mountain King 2-1 (12-1) Took keen hold, held up in touch on inside, headway before 2 out, went 3rd soon after 2 out, stayed on to 2nd at the last, shaken up and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3l behind In Fairness (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Citizenship 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch on inside, outpaced 3 out, well held after, plugged on flat, 6th of 7, 18l behind Titus Bolt (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Apr.
Breaking The Bank 5-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, pushed along and lost 2nd 2 out, soon ridden one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Germany Calling (11-5) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders on outside, 2nd and every chance when bumped 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd approaching last, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 8l behind Cool Sky (10-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Sep.
Sky Khan 100-1 (11-7) Always behind, 16th of 18, 26l behind Vautour (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Drumlang (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, driven after 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 12, 18l behind Mart Lane (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders before last, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd final 75 yards, no impression with winner, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Exitas (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Poetic Verse 85-40 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, took keen hold, led after last, soon ridden, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Taglietelle (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Swantykay (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along in 6th entering straight, slightly hampered 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Mind The Pennies (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-116.
Gud Day (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Soon in rear, behind 4th, tailed off 6th, stayed on flat, no chance with leaders, 4th of 7, 31l behind Going Concern (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Classic Colori (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place before 2 out, soon well beaten, 4th of 7, 25l behind Laser Blazer (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Descaro (USA) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced before 5 out, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd place close home, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Curragh Hall (10-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
