chased leaders, lost place 6th, under pressure 10th, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, every chance from 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, hampered 3 out, led before next, soon challenged, hard ridden, ran on well
prominent, hit 8th, led after 4 out, blundered next, headed before when mistake 2 out, weakened
behind, blundered 2nd and 12th, soon beaten, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 5 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on well towards finish
always behind
chased leaders, lost place 9th, rallied after 5 out, short of room after 3 out, weakened next
led until after 4 out, soon weakened
PLAY THE ACE has shot up the weights having won four times since June. But Peter Bowen’s charge is at the peak of his powers and is suited by sharp tracks like this. Favorito Buck's ran his best race so far over a slightly shorter trip here last time but Volt Face is treading water off his current mark, though can make the frame again. Forever Field is also high enough in the weights and Dance Floor King looks held by the selection while Moorlands Jack may find this company too hot but Bishops Court could figure if benefiting from a pipe-opener.
Forever Field (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened 13th, blundered and struggling towards rear next, never on terms with leaders after, 8th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Braqueur D'or (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Bishops Court 12-1 (12-3) Held up and behind, steady headway approaching 11th, 6th and beaten when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 34 1/4l behind Orbasa (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Play The Ace (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Jumped well, led until 4th, led again 8th, driven clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Turban (11-1) by 10l, 10 ran.
Volt Face (FR) 11-8fav (11-6) Led, headed before 5th, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Beggar's Wishes (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Favorito Buck's (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Held up off the pace in 4th, pushed along in 3rd when hung right from 2 out, closed on 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Eyesopenwideawake (11-8) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Breath Of Blighty (FR) 4-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, badly hampered 6 out, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 8, 27 1/4l behind Oliver's Hill (10-3) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Gores Island (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Always in rear, weakened 6 out, pulled up next, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Dance Floor King (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) In touch, lost place 8th, mistake and hampered 10th, rallied 5 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure, never a threat, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Play The Ace (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Moorlands Jack 11-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, plugged on in modest 4th from 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Mr Medic (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
