chased leaders, driven after 5 out, ridden after next, never going pace to challenge, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led before next, soon ridden, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leader, led 4th, reminder and headed narrowly after 6th, ridden and lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, struggling 10th, headway on outside before 4 out, hung left, ridden before next, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on, no impression with winner
held up in last pair, driven and outpaced after 4 out, went 3rd before, ridden and kept on flat, never getting to front pair
tracked leaders, close up on inside when fell 5 out
led to 4th, led again narrowly after 6th, headed after 4 out, hit next, soon beaten, weakened before last
Glittering Love won all four starts over fences last season but is 11lb higher on his return. The Dubai Way has been raised 9lb after making a winning reappearance at Wetherby and Well Above Par has gone up the same amount for winning nicely at Kelso. RIVER FROST (NAP) scored over fences at Ayr last month and just missed out at Market Rasen last time. He’s won off a higher mark over hurdles in the past and can land this for last year’s winning yard. Dustin Des Mottes looks stuck on his current mark but Geronimo showed good progress last term, though will be better for today’s comeback run.
The Dubai Way (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along after 7th, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged and not fluent 2 out, stayed on to lead inside final 150 yards, soon clear, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Storm Control (11-4) by 3l, 7 ran.
Geronimo 12-1 (10-0) With leaders, blundered and lost place 14th, chased leaders, blundered 6 out, weakened after next, soon behind, pulled up 2 out, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Chased winner, mistake 3rd, pecked 9th, mistake and lost place next, stayed on well from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Crievehill (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
River Frost 7-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, tracked leaders going well before 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on to challenge and every chance when awkward last, held flat, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Buster Valentine (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Dustin Des Mottes (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 5 out until next, chased leading pair, ridden and no impression when lost 3rd 3 out, weakened, blundered 2 out and last, 6th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Ecu De La Noverie (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Glittering Love (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 5 out, headed next, led again 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Capard King (11-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
Well Above Par (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Made most, went on from 7th, clear 5 out, unchallenged after, kept on well, pushed out flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Slanelough (11-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
