pushed along most of way, held up in 6th, driven along in 4th before 3 out (normal 4 out) went 3rd before 3 out (normal 4 out) until before the last, weakened badly run-in
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 10th until 13th, chased leading pair until before 3 out (normal 4 out) ridden and went 3rd again before the last, no chance with winner
edgy and mounted after leaving paddock, led until ridden and headed omitted 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
chased leader until before 10th, lost place soon after, driven along and struggling in 6th before 3 out (normal 4 out) weakened
always behind and never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out (normal 4 out)
held up in touch out wide, chased leading pair 10th, went 2nd 13th, led omitted 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well
off the pace in last pair, behind and struggling before 10th, finally picked up went 4th run-in, closed on 3rd but no chance with winner
chased leaders on inside, lost place at 10th, ridden and struggling in 5th turning in, weakened
Favori De Sivola has been here twice and won both including over the trip. He made all over 3m6f here last month and a 5lb rise looks manageable. Don Herbager, who finished 23 lengths behind, jumped poorly and was always struggling. Winning hurdler Equus Dreamer has done best in testing conditions so the more rain the better but the consistent Classic Ben is better over further. New Age Dawning was flattered by his finishing position at Ffos Las but RADDON TOP, who initiated a hat-trick over hurdles when scoring here a year ago, made an encouraging debut over fences here on New Year's Day and can take this.
Equus Dreamer (IRE) 18-5 (11-11) Prominent, led before 6th, shaken up 3 out, soon headed narrowly, kept on gamely until faded run-in, 3rd of 9, 11 1/2l behind Morning Spirit (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Classic Ben (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Led, headed second, chased leaders, jumped right 8th, left in lead approaching 9th, ridden when headed 2 out, lost second run in, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Tea For Free (12-0) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
New Age Dawning (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd 4 out, well held but plugging on in 3rd when left 2nd and hampered last, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Fairlawn Flyer (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Favori De Sivola (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Made all, led narrowly, pushed along home turn, faced strong challenge 4 out, forged on after 2 out and ridden, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Light Flicker (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Eclair Mag (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, went modest fourth 2 out, never seriously involved, 4th of 9, 18l behind Only The Bold (11-6) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Raddon Top (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along out wide before 4 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 3l behind In Rem (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Don Herbager (FR) 7-1 (11-6) In rear, slow jumps early and not fluent at times, struggling in rear 15th, stayed on past beaten horses from 3 out, 5th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Favori De Sivola (11-4) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Premiumaccess (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Prominent, close up when unseated 8th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
