held up in touch, closed 3rd 2 out, held last, stayed on one pace flat
in rear on outside, mistake and bumped 3rd, headway on outside before 4th, lost place next, well behind before 3 out
held up towards rear, bumped 3rd, started racing keenly and closed on downhill run to 4th, jumped left 3 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
led until after 2 out, switched left before last, weakened flat
chased leader, challenged 4th, mistake and unseated rider next
chased leaders, went 2nd and not fluent 6th, beaten from 3 out, weakened next
held up rear of mid-division, headway before 3 out, edged right and led after 2 out, joined last, soon headed, no impression towards finish
held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, 5 lengths 5th and staying on when not fluent and unseated rider 2 out
in touch in mid-division, effort 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, not fluent last
towards rear, headway 2 out, never on terms, stayed on same pace last
Thomas Blossom won this in 2018 when 25lb higher in the weights. He’s been chasing in the main lately but likes it here and this won’t take much winning. Vexed’s hurdles form leaves something to be desired but he’s placed three times on the Flat and led until inside the final furlong when fourth at Chelmsford 12 days ago. Airton beat KNIGHT COMMANDER over a longer trip at Uttoxeter last month and is much better off at the weights with Sheila Lewis’ charge carrying a penalty for last week’s easy win at Hereford. But the latter was badly hampered by a last-flight faller at the Midlands track and could come out on top this time.
Airton 5-1cfav (11-13) Mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 6th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, ridden before next, soon outpaced, rallied and left disputing close 2nd and hampered soon after the last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Drumreagh (10-6) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Buonarotti Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Towards rear, staying on same pace when hampered 2 out, 9th of 15, 21 1/2l behind Cotton End (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Knight Commander 11-2 (11-1) Mid-division, tracked leaders final circuit, travelling powerfully 2 out, eased into the lead before the last, 5-lengths clear at the last, extended advantage run-in, comfortable, won at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) gf in Oct beating Easkey Lad (11-0) by 12l, 12 ran.
Berboru (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Led, hit 6th, attempted to duck out and unseated rider 4 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in Aug.
Vexed 8-1 (10-0) Held up in chasing group, headway to chase clear leader 9f out, every chance briefly over 1f out, soon beaten, weakened and lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Indigo Times (8-12) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Espressino 11-1 (10-12) Chased leader, jumped left 2nd, awkward 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, close up when ridden approaching 3 out, left chasing leader 3 out, kept on from 2 out but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Breffniboy (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Jetstream (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, dist behind Eyeofthescorpion (12-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Sweeping Rock (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on, 5th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Sixties Secret (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Darsi Rose (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Mid-division, weakened 13th, soon towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Chance It (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway 7th, went well beaten 4th before last, 4th of 12, 32 1/4l behind Millie Of Mayo (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 22 3/4l behind Go As You Please (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
