mid-division, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader to 3rd, remained in touch, chased leading pair under pressure before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, behind from 7th, tailed off
mid-division, dropped towards rear and reminder 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off
in touch on inside, tracked leader from 3rd, led 3 out, driven and headed before next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up behind, mistake 3rd, outpaced 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, soon challenged, led before next, drew clear between last 2, comfortably
behind, reminders after 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up behind, some headway into mid-division after 6th, lost place and ridden next, behind when pulled up quickly after 3 out, dismounted
led, headed and went left 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
Twentyfourcarat only went down by a neck to Grab The Glory on his hurdling debut at Kempton last month and has to go on the short-list here. But there should be more to come from KNOCKALONGI on this stiffer track after he failed to get to grips with the in-form Mush Mir at Southwell. The latter gets the vote though points winner Lovcen is also worth a second look following his fourth at Exeter and Emperor's Choice was third in a Fontwell bumper on his only start so far and is a full brother to hurdles winner Screenscraper. Theredballoon won at Uttoxeter in may but may struggle to give weight to less exposed rivals today.
Theredballoon 4-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, hit 5th, went 4th next, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 7, 31l behind Bowntobebad (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, struggling 5f out, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Colour Squadron (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) 5-2fav (10-8) In touch, pushed along 8f out, lost place and towards rear over 6f out, poor 10th approaching straight, stayed on under pressure final 2f, went modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Cresswell Melody (9-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Finnegan Paddy (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 25l behind Kusadiki (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) hvy.
Knockalongi 8-13fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, driven to challenge 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Mush Mir (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Longitude 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 5th or 7th, jumped left 9th and when mistake 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Oscar Sunset (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Lovcen (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden before 3 out, no extra 2 out, went left last, 4th of 14, 13l behind Allthekingshorses (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gd.
Smart Exit (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Colour Squadron (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Stealing The Line (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place after 6th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Fox Appeal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Twentyfourcarat (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Went left 1st, led, briefly headed before 4 out, hung left after 2 out, hit last, headed final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Grabtheglory (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
