chased leaders, slow 2nd, soon lost place, mistake 4th, ridden next, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, never able to challenge
chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leader, effort 3 out, led before next, clear last, impressive
led until 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up next
settled in rear, headway 4 out, led and hit next, headed approaching when blundered 2 out, kept on same pace
keen hold in mid-division, lost place 4th, soon beaten
Roxane Bruere has been knocking on the door but is starting to creep up the weights again. She seems sure to be thereabouts in this finale, however, with Chris Ward claiming 8lb. Drumlang stayed on well to get off the mark at Uttoxeter last time and will make a bold bid to defy his penalty, while Hammer has been in action on the Flat over the summer. Ian McInnes may hold the key to this, however, saddling both Nicholas Pocock and CARLITOS SPIRIT. A seven-times winner on the level, the latter probably hasn't much scope but his three runs over hurdles so far have been against better opposition.
Nicholas Pocock (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th or 5th, soon behind, 6th of 7, well behind Perpetually (11-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Christopher Wren (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Hammer 5-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out where hampered, soon switched left, chased winner 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Ajman (10-9) at Ludlow 2m cond sll hdl (5) gd in May '10.
Drumlang (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, challenged going well after 4 out, led before next, ridden next, 6 lengths clear when not fluent last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Bob's Dream (11-3) by 11l, 12 ran.
Alloro 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out, tailed off before 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Claude Carter (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Roxane Bruere (FR) 3-1fav (10-10) Set steady pace, quickend clear after 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Endeavor (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hld 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Nevsky Bridge 50-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, no chance when mistake next, 9th of 12, 43l behind Drumlang (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
