held up in rear, went 4th from 3rd, closed before 5th, mistake 4 out, not fluent when closing last, went 2nd and kept on, unable to challenge winner
with leader, led 2nd, headed before 3 out, no extra next
held up towards rear, headway before 5th, hit 8th, led before 3 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, 3rd and kept on flat, no impression on winner
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, hampered 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, edged right before last, driven out
held up in rear, pulled up after 8th
led until 2nd, chased leader until mistake 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place before hitting 3rd, weakened after 8th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
HAMMERSLY LAKE completed a double for Nicky Henderson and Richard Johnson with a fine performance at Haydock in May and though 6lb higher can make a successful debut for Charlie Longsdon. Abidjan was a very easy winner at Warwick in May and may have followed up over hurdles at Market Rasen but for a bad error at the last. He's an obvious danger while Festive Affair, who was well behind the latter at Warwick, is better than that as he showed earlier at Ludlow. Theflyingportrait has really found his feet since switching to fences and was impressive at Aintree though wouldn't want any more rain. Altiepix went up 9lb for winning at Stratford in May and couldn't quite handle the extra on a return visit but Dream Bolt is in cracking form and only 2lb higher than his latest success at Stratford.
Hammersly Lake (FR) 3-1jfav (11-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside 4 out, led next, driven clear towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May beating Kilcrea Vale (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Made all, clear after 2 out, driven out, won at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Lofgren (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Abidjan (FR) 6-4fav (12-4) Held up in touch on outside, closed 7th, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, went right, mistake and headed last, 3rd and well held flat, 3rd of 5, 6 1/2l behind Star Foot (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Festive Affair (IRE) 3-1 (11-13) Led to 3 out, outpaced before and jumped right 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 19 3/4l behind Abidjan (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Dream Bolt (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, left in close 4th 8th, went 3rd 4 out, 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, 2 lengths ahead last, idled run-in, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Noche De Reyes (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Remind Me Later (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
De Faoithesdream (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led before next, hit 8th, blundered next, pushed along and headed after 2 out, soon ridden and no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 16 3/4l behind Dream Bolt (10-13) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Notarfbad (IRE) 10-1 (12-3) Led, headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Somchine (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Altiepix (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch in last pair, headway 7th, went 2nd 10th, led when went left and bumped 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, held when stumbled last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Forever My Friend (10-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
