made most, over jumped 4th and slid along the ground, headed briefly, recovered to lead before next, clear last, easy
keen early tracked winner, hit 2nd, led briefly after 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out
chased leading pair, closed 8th, chased easy winner 2 out, kept on, no chance
AUSTRALIA DAY put in some extravagant leaps when getting off the mark over fences at Kempton last month, beating subsequent winner Schumpters Lad by a distance. If in the same mood here, Paul Webber's grey should prove hard to pass. Despite finishing last of three at Ascot, Megastar didn't run badly and was eased close home. He'll know more today and could be the one for forecast-backers as C&D winner Hi Tide may find this company too hot and Nosecond Chance hasn't been out since finishing tailed off over hurdles at Ludlow in March.
Australia Day (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Led 2nd, clear approaching 4th, left well clear 6th, mistake 8th, easily, won at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Schumpters Lad (11-2) by well, 4 ran.
Hi Tide (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 22l behind Crosby Jemma (10-8) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Nosecond Chance (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in bunch, jumped slowly 7th, closed next, well there when hit 3 out, no extra next, weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Havingotascoobydo (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Megastar 13-8 (11-3) Took keen hold, held up in 3rd, blundered and nearly unseated rider 11th, given time to recover, closing when went right and jumped into rear of 2nd horse 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, eased when beaten flat, last of 3, 13l behind Micheal Flips (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
