tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent 8th, ridden after next, went 2nd when bad mistake last, well held by winner flat
tracked winner, not fluent 5th or 9th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, took keen hold, mostly raced wide, hit 6th, soon given reminder, jumped slowly 8th, not fluent next, chased winner after, hit 2 out, no impression and lost 2nd when jumped right and slowly last, no extra
always last, hit 5th, not fluent next, behind from 8th, tailed off
made all, not fluent 9th, hit 3 out, edged right and shaken up after 2 out, went left and mistake last, soon went further clear, comfortably
POTTERS CROSS is hard to oppose. Well clear of the field on official handicaps marks, he ran well for second in a Grade 2 event at Chepstow last month and will likely start a short price for this. Berea Boru looks next best as he returned an easy winner over track and trip last time but will do well to land a hat trick under a double penalty. Closing Ceremony made a promising start over hurdles at Chepstow though the level of form is some way behind that of the selection and the remainder are even harder to fancy.
Berea Boru (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, closed from 3rd, led 5th until 7th, led again after 3 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy beating Champagne Rian (10-7) by 18l, 5 ran.
Blazing Bouncer 33-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway to chase leaders 5th, outpaced after 8th, moderate progress flat, 4th of 8, 39l behind Kaki De La Pree (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, hit 1st, headway after 8th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, joined and hit next, soon ridden, headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Kaki De La Pree (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Lord Fox (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Led, headed 2nd led again 3rd, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, well behind Willoughby Hedge (10-13) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Potters Cross 12-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, hit 7th and joined, headed before 4 out, soon driven and and dropped to 3rd, went modest 2nd again 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Timesremembered (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Paddocks Lounge (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 4th 6out, prog in 2nd bef 3out, 3l 2nd & no ch with wnr from 2out, kow, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Dr Patmassini (11-4) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in May.
