held up in rear, smooth headway 4 out, effort appraoching last, kept on well, never reached winner
tracked leader, slow 14th, mistake 18th, hard driven before 3 out, weakened after next
in touch, not fluent 9th, driven to challenge before 2 out, no extra flat
chased leaders, mistake 11th, under pressure after 4 out, jumped right next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened 6 out
made all, hard driven 2 out, stayed on strongly
Nonrunner
Samstown has been raised 10lb for a narrow-margin victory at Kelso and will need to improve again while last year's winner There's No Panic can race off the same mark as when going close over 3m3f at Fontwell. But there is a suspicion both are best on faster ground and EMPEROR'S CHOICE can take advantage. The latter never threatened the improving Gas Line Boy when second on his comeback at Haydock but should be sharper for the outing. Kasbadali has a shout on his first start since March and is preferred to Whats Happening, who has yet to show any improvement for his slip down the weights. Tales Of Milan is up in class off a higher mark after winning at Doncaster last week and Upham Atom is another with something to prove in this grade.
There's No Panic (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced, headway 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, kept on and held towards finish, 3rd of 4, 3/4l behind Royal Native (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Close up in 3rd, chased winner from 11th, kept on from 4 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Gas Line Boy (11-12) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Whats Happening (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) In touch, ridden 4 out, kept on, 4th of 9, 23l behind Howard's Legacy (10-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Nov.
Kasbadali (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Soon held up in last trio, steady headway 17th, chased leaders before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd between last 2 until last, rallied to 2nd again final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Chartreux (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Upham Atom 25-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, blundered 17th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 9, 41l behind Pantxoa (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in Oct.
Tales Of Milan (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) With leader, led 2nd, made rest, driven 3 out, ridden and stayed on gamely flat, won at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Dundee (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Samstown 6-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway 9th, led approaching 2 out, pressed last, ridden and stayed on, won at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating The Last Samuri (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
