prominent throughout, pressed leader before 4 out, led 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, hit 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden before last, 3 lengths down run-in, stayed on strongly to lead final strides
front mid-division, losing place when mistake 13th, ridden and weakened quickly 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, bad mistake in mid-division 5 out, soon ridden and went 6th before 4 out, plugged on one pace
towards rear, headway into mid-division after 12th, mistake 6 out, pushed along to go 4th 5 out, ridden after 4 out, hit 3 out, one pace thereafter
mid-division, mistake 9th, hampered jumping 5 out, ridden before 4 out, gradually faded
towards rear, struggling from 5 out, never on terms
held up in rear, mistake 6th and 14th, pulled up before 16th
mid-division, slow jump in rear 14th, struggling from 15th, soon pulled up
chased leaders, mid-division 7th, hit 6 out, ridden and gradually faded from 4 out
led, jumped left throughout, headed but remained prominent 11th, pushed along home turn, left behind by front pair before 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, led 11th, mistake 16th, pushed along home turn, headed narrowly and ridden before 4 out, rallied to press leader 3 out, led narrowly again 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on grimly but headed final strides
Not easy with many making seasonal reappearances and fitness hard to confirm but AMATEUR proved most progressive last term and hopefully the 8-y-o staying chaser will be ready for this first test of his new campaign. He stays this trip very well and will not be found for want of stamina. Silva Eclipse appeals as the latest on the production line of Sue Smith staying chasers and will be all the better for his recent reappearance. He has strong each-way claims. The three joint topweights can all have a case argued for them with Truckin Away preferred of the trio and both Speak Of The Devil and Defuture Is Bright are going the right way and can get involved off lowly weights.
Jersey Bean (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost ground 7th, hit 16th, effort before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 37 1/4l behind Definite Plan (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Truckin Away (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway after 17th, not fluent and lost place 21st, no impression after, 11th of 20, 20 1/4l behind Time To Get Up (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Captain Drake (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Take Your Time (10-11) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Amateur (IRE) 9-2fav (10-8) Midfield, hit 3rd, not fluent 12th, headway 18th, stayed on to chase leader 4 out, close up 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out where not fluent, drew clear before last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Legends Gold (11-7) by 7l, 14 ran.
Eclair Mag (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, not fluent 11th, ridden before 3 out, plugged on one pace, 8th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Hold That Taught (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Silva Eclipse 8-1 (10-13) Midfield, ridden 5 out, headway before 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 9, 31l behind Hewick (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 19th, weakened 22nd, tailed off, 12th of 22, dist behind Mighty Thunder (11-1) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Bob Mahler (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear, hit 10th and pushed, brief headway before ridden after 12th and dropped to last, 10th of 13, dist behind St Erney (10-6) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Speak Of The Devil (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed after 5 out, regained lead before 3 out, shaken up and not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on well, always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Generator City (10-10) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Defuture Is Bright (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 7th of 17, 16l behind Strictlyadancer (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Furius De Ciergues (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 7th, headed 9th, stayed close up, challenging 4 out, 3rd and held before last, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Strictlyadancer (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
