chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out until approaching 2 out where mistake and outpaced, plugged on same pace in 3rd
made all, driven and joined when blundered last, kept on gamely to assert final 100 yards
took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
took keen hold and held up in rear, went right 4th, headway on inside travelling well before 2 out, kept on flat, went 4th towards fnish
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, no extra between last 2
took keen hold towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on flat
took keen hold towards rear, steady headway from 5th, chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, 4th and well held when hit last, no extra in 6th towards finish
took keen hold and always in rear, never involved, tailed off
always towards rear, never involved
took keen hold and held up in mid-division, good headway on inside to chase winner approaching 2 out, upsides and every chance when hit last, no extra and held final 100 yards
close up in 5th, pushed along before 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased winner until after 3 out, chased leaders until weakened before next
Paul Nicholls will no doubt be keen to win the race his yard sponsors and Fontwell bumper winner SUERTE AL SALTO gets the nod. Dual bumper winner Valdez should make a race of it and Listen And Learn will be thereabouts if taking to hurdling having won a bumper at Bangor in August. Piano Concerto had shown some ability before being outclassed in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and newcomer, The Presidents Man, is worth a second glance as his dam is a half-sister to the smart hurdler Land Afar.
Ask Scotty 80-1 (10-11) In rear, jumped slowly 1st, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Cabimas (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Johnny Red (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway to 3rd 5f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 8l behind Cucumber Run (10-9) at Kempton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr '10.
Kings Flagship 33-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 43l behind Mizen Station (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar '11.
Listen And Learn (IRE) 11-8fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Bangor 2m 1f cond NH flat (6) gd in Aug beating Roll On Ruby (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Master Benjamin 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 9f out, headed over 7f out, led 6f out, headed 5f out, led again 3f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 8, 6l behind Azure Fly (11-4) at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Piano Concerto (USA) 125-1 (11-5) Always behind, struggling 5f out, 16th of 20, 33l behind Champagne Fever (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Presenting Arms (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, took keen hold, lost place over 5f out, weakened 4f out, tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Kings Lad (11-4) at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Suerte Al Salto (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, not much room over 3f out, headway going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, shaken up and ran on well inside final furlong, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in May beating Invicta Lake (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
The Presidents Man (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Damoiselle.
Torrential Raine 80-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 7, 31l behind New Year's Eve (10-2) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Valdez 9-2 (11-9) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 8f out, ridden 3f out, switched left over 2f out, one pace entering final furlong, 4th of 15, 9l behind Up To Something (11-1) at Newbury 2m NH flat (2) gs in Mar.
Zava River (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 40l behind Gas Line Boy (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Uimhir A Seacht (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 5th, soon struggling, 7th of 9, well behind The New One (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
