tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced soon after 3 out, weakened soon after, eased, tailed off
slight lead, hit 3rd, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd final 100 yards
always in rear, outpaced 4th, reminders and struggling after next, tailed off 6th, pulled up after next
prssed leader, led on inside before 2 out, driven and idled flat, always holding on
held up tracking leaders, hit 7th and shaken up briefly, travelling well in 3rd 3 out, driven and no impression between last 2, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards and closed as winner idled, always held
tracked leaders on outside, outpaced when reminder after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when went right 3 out, pulled up before next
CLOSING CEREMONY came good at Kempton last month finishing well clear of the runner-up with a subsequent winner back in third. He's taken to defy a penalty and go in again with further progress expected. Brave Vic has every chance on today's terms but his third at Southwell last time looks inferior to Howlongisafoot's second at Exeter and the latter could prove the chief danger to the likely favourite. Bumper winner Hot Whiskey N Ice showed some promise when making the frame on his hurdling bow at Kempton and looks best of the rest.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Wandered at some flights, tracked leader, led soon after 3 out, driven clear between last 2, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Minella On Line (11-2) by 14l, 6 ran.
Brave Vic (IRE) 6-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, kept on well from last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Flementime (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Heathyards Flyer 16-1 (10-5) Chased leading pair until lost place 7th, no chance after, left poor 4th 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 35l behind Buck's Bond (10-9) at Fontwell 3m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Apr.
Hot Whiskey N Ice (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leading pair until after 6th, went right next and ridden, went 3rd again 3 out, soon one pace and no impression on leading duo, took 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Boogie In The Barn (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, hung left flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Toubeera (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Underwood (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Held up in touch in 4th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Marcilhac (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Jan.
