led from1st, chased leader, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway 4 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well
held up towards rear, behind from 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 5th, led 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, weakened when unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after next
held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from last
held up, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 1st, chased leaders until lost place 4 out
held up towards rear, never troubled leaders
Royal Rationale could hardly have won with more ease when taking a novice hurdle at Sedgefield last month but this is tougher back in a handicap today and it is hard to get away from recent Fakeham scorer KING'S MAJESTY, who is preferred to another last time out winner First Point. Nicky Henderson's gelding was good value for his Ludlow success last week but a 7lb penalty for that success makes life tougher for the five-year-old and he may have to settle for minor honours today. Elaala has been running well of late but she may now be a shade high in the weights, while Luna Landing is fit from the flat and rates a bigger threat than Kanonkop, who probably needs even more help from the handicapper. The vote then goes to the Andrew Hales-trained King's Majesty, who has looked much improved of late with convincing wins at Plumpton and Fakenham and he is taken to make it three on the bounce here. (Nick Millard)
King Daniel 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 44l behind Border Tale (10-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit last, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept beating Yachvili (11-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Amazing King (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Led to before 2 out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 34l behind Katies Tuitor (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
First Point (GER) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, chased leading pair approaching 3 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Australia Day (11-2) by 2l, 15 ran.
Aviation 13-2 (11-1) Held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Storymaker (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Mid-division, badly hampered 4th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Art Modern (10-12) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4) gf, 18 ran.
Elaala (USA) 7-2 (10-8) In rear but in touch, effort approaching 2 out, ridden and soon no impression, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Border Tale (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Kanonkop 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 4 out, took modest 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Coolnaharan (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) frm.
Luna Landing 8-11fav (11-1) Tracked winner throughout, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, held near finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Quillan Hill (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
King's Majesty (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside approaching 6th, jumped right and led 3 out, soon clear, heavily eased flat, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Monsieur (11-11) by 12l, 15 ran.
Sea Venture (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-11) Held up in rear, blundered badly 3rd, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Divine Gift (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug, 13 ran.
Springvic (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 10th of 15, 50l behind Nodform William (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Deadline (UAE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged last, every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Numero Due (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Summer Lodge 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, struggling after 6th, no impression when hit 3 out, 7th of 15, 28l behind First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Calculaite 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Nodform William (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
