pressed leader, led 4 out, driven and headed before 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, weakened flat
in touch on outside, outpaced after 3 out, rallied between last 2, chased leading pair last, ridden and kept on towards stands side rail flat
in touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division on inside, outpaced before 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, dropped to rear before 6th, soon lost touch and pulled up
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led before 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on under pressure flat
in touch, chased leaders when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened after next
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms
behind, reminder after 5th, lost touch next, soon pulled up
mid-division on outside, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch on inside, mistake 4th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led to 4 out, ridden and weakened next
in touch, driven to chase leading pair after 3 out, disputed 2nd when mistake next, edged left under pressure between last 2, no extra approaching last
behind, headway before 3 out, chased leaders under pressure next, went 2nd last, ridden and kept on flat, not reach winner
Points winner Italian Master should attract plenty of attention given connections, while Dramatic Duke has also won between the flags but couldn't justify heavy support in a bumper here on his debut under Rules. Bedouin Bay and Faultless Feelings both have the past form to figure and Flat winner Bowdler's Magic is a rare NH runner for Mark Johnston. Tuscan Gold is another useful stayer from the Flat having his first run over hurdles and could go close along with Wexford winner Dawn Commander and Florafern, who had every chance when falling at Lingfield, but HIT THE HEADLINES could be the one in a potentially informative contest. Very holding ground did for him when favourite for a bumper at Newbury in March but he'd won here easily on his racecourse debut and is bred to appreciate the switch to hurdles.
Bedouin Bay 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon driven to challenge, weakened quickly before 3 out, behind when pulled up last, in a race won by Fingal Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Dawn Commander (GER) 8-1 (11-3) Soon mid-division, closer in 4th 4 out, plenty to do from next until closed under pressure to challenge before last where disputed lead, stayed on well run-in to edge ahead close home, won at Wexford 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Railway Vic (10-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Bowdler's Magic 11-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 13l behind Los Nadis (9-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct (flat).
Brandon Thomas (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Bar De Ligne (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Dramatic Duke (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led after 2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Cydonia (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gf in Oct.
Duncanthomas 150-1 (10-5) Mid-division, well behind after 5th, 15th of 16, well behind Poole Master (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Faultless Feelings (IRE) 7-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 8th until after 3 out, soon not much room, no impression approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 20l behind Sweet Irony (11-1) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Hit The Headlines (IRE) 11-8 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd halfway until ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Medinas (10-8) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Italian Master (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 4th 6out & gng well aftr 4out, hmprd bef 2out, chall last, row & ld 50 yards out, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Likeable Rogue (12-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Oscar's Secret (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Black Flora.
Robougg (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 12, 26l behind Be My Present (10-1) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Soutine (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Chased winner until over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 12, 16l behind Showmanship (10-9) at Fakenham 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Theodore Lamb 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Savant Bleu (10-11) at Worcester 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in May.
Tickatack (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, led after 4th until 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind So Fine (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Tuscan Gold 20-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, held up towards rear on outside, headway and in touch 12f out, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, 29th of 33, well behind Never Can Tell (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct (flat).
Florafern 11-4fav (10-10) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, under pressure when fell 2 out, in a race won by Heather Royal (10-10) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
