chased leader, not fluent 2nd, challenged 9th, not fluent 11th, led next, headed 14th, led 15th, hit 2 out, pressed last, edged left flat, in command towards finish
jumped right, led until 12th, reminder and led again 14th, headed next, not fluent 4 out, weakened next
chasing leaders 2nd, mistake 16th, went 2nd 4 out until before 2 out where not fluent, rallied last, 3rd and beaten final 50 yards
held up, closed 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, soon switched left, every chance flat, held towards finish
not jump well and never travelling well, losing touch 14th, well behind 16th
GAME LINE was only third at Southwell when in pursuit of the hat-trick but may well enjoy this longer trip and can get back on track here under 7lb claimer Jack Tudor. Christian Williams also runs Primal Focus, a course and distance winner in May when only 3lb lower but out of sorts since. Ruffling Feathers may make a better chaser than hurdler but Midnight Magic and Manofthemountain are both returning from a break with the latter also tackling fences for the first time.
Manofthemountain (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, rallied from after 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Storm Goddess (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Primal Focus (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Led, blundered badly, headed and lost place 3 out, soon behind, 10th of 12, 29l behind Topofthecotswolds (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Game Line (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Held up, jumped right 4th, baulked and pecked slightly, headway 10th, not fluent 14th, led after 4 out, soon headed, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, beaten flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Kildaven Spider (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Midnight Magic 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, travelled well before 5 out, switched inside before last, ridden and stayed on to press winner flat, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Dont Be Robin (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Ruffling Feathers (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Disputed lead to before 4 out, soon outpaced and behind, ridden and weakened after next, last of 5, 20 1/2l behind Black Anthem (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
