held up behind, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no impression
held up towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
prominent, weakened from before 3 out
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden before last, led last 75 yards, caught post
led, pressed from 3 out, not fluent last, headed last 75 yards, rallied to regain lead post
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on leading pair
held up towards rear, soon chased leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace from 2 out
This Grade 2 has produced a few decent stayers down the years but usually over fences. Paul Nicholls won it with Neptune Collonges in 2006 and this year's entry, Aerial, has already won four times over the larger obstacles. Timesremembered only found one too good in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last month but, like Chepstow and Haydock winner Sausalito Sunrise, has to give a couple of pounds to his rivals. Haydock scorer Urban Hymn should stay the extra and is interesting while Warden Hill won over course and distance six weeks ago, though has more on his plate today. Walk On Al could also come up short but RACING PULSE will surely be thereabouts back over a longer trip. He couldn't quite match the pace of Aubusson and Regal Diamond over 2m5f at Cheltenham but won over 3m between the flags and has the beating of Newcastle scorer Blakemount on a line through Ballyalton.
Sausalito Sunrise (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, led before last, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Dec beating Matthew Riley (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Timesremembered (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Held up in last pair, not fluent 4th, headway to 3rd after 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon one pace and no impression when hit last, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Captain Cutter (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Aerial (FR) 8-15fav (10-12) Made all, not fluent 6th, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Demographic (10-2) by 6l, 5 ran.
Blakemount (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Made all, drew readily clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Greensalt (10-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Urban Hymn (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Algernon Pazham (10-12) by 20l, 5 ran.
Walk On Al (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway into 3rd at 10th, led 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, kept on, won at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Gorsky Island (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Warden Hill (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden last, kept on to lead post, won at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Drop Out Joe (11-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Racing Pulse (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake next, headed approaching 3 out, every chance approaching last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Aubusson (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
