mid-division, struggling 8th, soon lost touch, weakened 3 out, tailed off
pressed winner, under pressure when not fluent 3 out, soon lost place, weakening when lost moderate 3rd next
mid-division on outside, dropped towards rear and pushed along 7th, tailed off 9th, pulled up 3 out
held up in last pair in touch, struggling 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off
mid-division, tracked leaders after 7th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, went moderate 3rd next, no chance with front pair
held up in last pair in touch, struggling after 7th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
made virtually all, driven clear from 2 out, well in command when went right last, comfortably
keen early, tracked leaders on outside, mistake 8th, lost place after 3 out, weakened next
Nonrunner
After showing decent form in bumpers, SOUTHFIELD VIC has been knocking on the door over hurdles. He looks certain to be suited by this step up in trip having looked a little one-paced over 2m5f at Ludlow when beaten at odds-on. Upsanddowns looks a big danger as he, too, was a decent bumper horse who has taken well to hurdles. He won at Newton Abbot in September but may not have beaten much at Ludlow subsequently and will again carry a penalty. Well Rewarded should improve with experience while Rathlin Rose won a point-to-point over this trip in May so won't fail through lack of stamina.
Candide (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 6th, soon struggling, no danger after, 5th of 13, 36l behind It's A Close Call (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Clancy's Cross (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, not always fluent, well behind from 7th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Minella Present (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Doctor Of Music (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (v) ap; drvn to ld 3 out; lft wl clr last, won at Hursley Hambledon 2m 4f ptp gf in Apr '13 beating Grey Bobby (12-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Exmoor Challenge 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off when blundered and sprawled badly 2 out, 6th of 9, well behind Liberty One (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Nimbus Gale (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Chased leaders on outside, outpaced 3 out, plugged on again flat, 6th of 13, 33l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Oh Devee 25-1 (10-9) Went left 3rd, always towards rear, 6th of 8, 41l behind Via Sundown (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Mid-div, 5th 1/2way, prog to 8l 2nd 3out, closer 4l 2nd last, disp last, ko best close home, cosily, won at Ballysteen 3m ire ptp gs in May beating Ballinard Billy (12-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Southfield Vic (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Always handy, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mister Fizz (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Well Rewarded (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) With leaders on outside, outpaced in 4th before 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd when not fluent last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 18l behind It's A Close Call (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Upsanddowns (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, clear from 6th, jumped right 3 out and 2 out, ridden and pressed run-in, held on towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Georgie Lad (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
