made all, not fluent 4 out, 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden out flat, always in command
tracked winner throughout, blundered 4 out, driven next, 3 lengths down last, kept on same pace, always held
held up 3rd and last throughout, struggling 13th, no chance after, tailed off
SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT is impossible to oppose on these terms. A top notch hurdler and chaser, he won the Grade 2 Dipper Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and this should put him spot on for next month's Festival. Smooth Stepper is a decent handicapper but has a stack to find with the likely odds-on favourite at these weights while Westend Theatre will only need a clear round to pick up some prize money.
Seeyouatmidnight 7-2 (11-4) Made all, ridden when not fluent last, soon edged left, stayed on well to draw clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan beating Blaklion (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Smooth Stepper 10-1 (10-4) Tracked leader to 4 out (usual 5 out), pushed along in 3rd next, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair from 2 out (usual 3 out), 3rd of 12, 8 3/4l behind King's Odyssey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Westend Theatre (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 8, 35l behind Throthethatch (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
