always prominent, led 9th, headed 12th, led again 3 out, ridden out, stayed on well
held up in rear, but in touch, slow 6th, pushed along 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 14th
chased leaders, slow 3rd, soon lost place, hit next, struggling when hit 7th, detatched next, pulled up 10th
held up in touch, chased leaders 7th, went 3rd at 12th, slow next, blundered 4 out, kept on to go 2nd after 3 out, never able to challenge
led until 9th, led again 12th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, slow 11th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 4 out
Riptide has won twice on the Flat this year and remains unexposed over fences. But ROSENEATH makes more appeal as he scored at Worcester during the summer before encountering testing ground on his recent comeback at Lingfield. Alex Hales' charge gets the nod back on a more suitable surface. Thorncliffer isn't getting any respite from the handicapper despite looking in need of it and it was back in April when Acrai Rua last posted a decent effort, winning at Carlisle off a 2lb lower mark.
Acrai Rua (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) In touch in 4th, weakened from 10th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Orange Nassau (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Very Stylish (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, close up after 3rd, lost place 11th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Italian Master (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Riptide 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until 3rd, well beaten after 6th, 12th of 14, well behind Amigo (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Roseneath (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up, headway when jumped right 7th, challenged 14th, no impression on winner last, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Royal Chatelier (11-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Moon Melody (GER) 11-1 (10-2) Prominent, not fluent 2nd or 8th, ridden 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 8, 13l behind I'll Be Frank (11-1) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Thorncliffer 7-1 (9-12) Led until 9th, 4th and one pace before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 6, 24l behind Russe Blanc (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.