with leader, lost place approaching 6th, slow 9th, soon ridden and weakened, left in remote 4th at last
held up in touch, headway to go 2nd at 5th, slow 9th, hard driven 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
led until approaching 5 out, under pressure after next, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner
in touch, mistakes 1st and 9th, soon struggling, headway 2 out, left in 3rd at last, never able to challenge
chased leaders, led before 5 out, ridden clear after 2 out, ran on well
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, effort 4 out, staying on same pace in 3rd when fell last
Rocking Blues has fallen twice in six starts over hurdles and makes his debut over fences. Atlanta Falcon landed a handicap in this class at Worcester in July and if the ground has been on the quick side he would have had to be considered. SEEDSMAN has won a bumper and a handicap hurdle and has generally competed at a decent level so is taken to make a winning start to his chasing career. Kilmacowen looked a smart prospect when landing a Warwick novice hurdle last March but he was beaten a long way on his only start over fences. Coverholder completed a five-timer over timber earlier this year and looked on the way back at Carlisle last month but is making his chasing debut.
Kilmacowen (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside after 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 17th of 20, 43l behind Trackmate (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Seedsman 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leading pair, driven approaching 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner, stayed on to press for 2nd last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Red Courtier (11-0) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Atlanta Falcon (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Led to 1st, tracked winner, led before 4 out, ridden and headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Carrigdhoun (10-6) at Kelso 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In rear, blundered 4th, headway before 12th, in 4th when fell 4 out, in a race won by Papamoa (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Coverholder (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led, jinked and reminders paddock bend after 3rd, ridden before and headed last, kept on and always well held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Upswing (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Rocking Blues (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway 5 out, every chance before 2 out, led narrowly before last, headed last, soon left in lead, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Finding Your Feet (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
