held up in rear, headway to dispute well held 3rd 2 out until well before last, weakened soon after
hit 1st, held up in last pair, headway to chase winner 3rd until before 5th, mainly in well held 3rd after, lost touch between last 2, tailed off
jumped left, led until 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 5th, soon lost touch and in rear, tailed off
chased leader, led 3rd, made rest, clear from 5th, well in command when hit last
chased leaders, went 2nd before 5th, hit 2 out, ridden and no chance with winner well before last
held up in 5th, weakened and struggling when mistake 2 out, tailed off
Candlefort Lady showed little on her only run in a bumper and is watched on her debut over jumps. King Richard and Chervonet are readily avoided on their previous efforts. Top Smart and Oscar Prairie may be capable of better with apparent glimpses of ability but they have never been involved come the business end of the race and that places the finger over two options. VESEY LODGE gets the vote despite the advantage of Lomitaar having won over timber already. Jennie Candlish has her yard in good heart of late and although her entry in the race may be more suited by fences in time considering he is a previous points winner, he can take this contest. The selection is a tentative one, with Vesey Lodge having never appeared under rules over hurdles and if the pick isn't up to the task, Lomitaar will take advantage. He won nicely at Newton Abbot to record his first win and has every chance.
Lomitaar 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway before 4 out, tracked leading pair going well from 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Santamina (10-4) by 11l, 12 ran.
Chervonet (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along 8f out, stuggling over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Kind Of Easy (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Apr.
King Richard (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led until blundered badly and headed 2nd, chased leaders until before 5th, soon behind, tailed off, not recover, 13th of 14, well behind Present To You (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Oscar Prairie (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 20, 49l behind Munlochy Bay (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Top Smart 33-1 (10-9) Raced in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 14l behind Brackloon High (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Candlefort Lady (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Persian Snow (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Vesey Lodge (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Always prominent, led over 3f out, clear final furlong, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jul beating Unwanted Gift (10-11) by 10l, 12 ran.
