tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
held up in touch, took keen hold, effort when mistake and stumbled 3 out, no impression after, well held from next
held up in rear, in touch after 4 out, no impression and outpaced from next, went 4th flat
led, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace flat
tracked leader, every chance when stumbled 3 out, rider clung on until unseated before next
held up in touch, effort and left 2nd from 3 out, led last, drew clear flat, easily
jumped right at times, held up in rear, lost touch after 4 out
rear of mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten when mistake 3 out
mid-division, in touch after 4 out, outpaced next, weakened before last
Fact Of The Matter was due to run yesterday at Huntingdon and that may have left the door open for April's Chepstow bumper winner AFTER HOURS to make a winning start over timber. he improved with experience last season. Nick Williams runs a couple of French imports with Agrapart preferred to Brise Coeur on this occasion. Quantum Of Solace has a jumping pedigree but Flying Angel is preferred of the other newcomers. Ashtown was fifth in a bunch finish at Uttoxeter five weeks ago but that form may not amount to much.
After Hours (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd 6f out, led 4f out, pushed along and pressed final 2f, narrowly headed entering final furlong, rallied to lead again final 150 yards, won at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Apr beating Kerrow (11-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Agrapart (FR) 22-1 (8-12) last of 15, 21 1/4l behind Settler's Son (9-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f hcp gd in Apr.
Ashtown (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led next, headed before last, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Keep Calm (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Refused to race, at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led halfway, clear final 2f, kept on well, eased close home, won at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Sep beating Desert Retreat (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Flying Angel (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Gypsy Kelly.
Grey Messenger (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
The Bank Manager 33-1 (10-13) Not fluent 3rd, held up towards rear, never involved, 9th of 13, dist behind Potters Corner (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Quantum Of Solace Kayf Tara M out of Fashion House.
Brise Coeur (FR) (8-12) 7th of 8, 19 3/4l behind Zack Hope (9-1) at Compiegne 1m 6f stks hvy in Mar.
