led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before last, driven and stayed on same pace run-in
chased leader until pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next where left modest 3rd and hampered
always behind, driven along and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, hit 7th, 2nd after 3 out until pushed along before next, 3rd and held when slithered on landing and fell 2 out
always behind, pushed along and struggling after 6th, tailed off
tracked leaders, on inside, 2nd travelling well before 2 out, upsides 2 out, led before mistake last, ridden out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 5th, weakened 3 out, left modest 4th and hampered 2 out
Mr Monochrome carries a 7lb penalty for a narrow-margin win at Ayr and looks vulnerable. Accord has been placed in both starts so far over timber including Cheltenham last time and Lieutenant Gruber won a bumper in good style when last seen in action back in May. But NO COMMENT found only the progressive Robin Roe too good when runner-up over hurdles at Aintree last month and Philip Hobbs’ charge should find this easier. Point-to-point winner Zerachiel makes his debut under Rules.
Mr Monochrome 3-1 (10-12) With leader, led before 4th, made rest, hard pressed 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Verona Opera (10-5) by hd, 7 ran.
Accord (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed last, carried left and lost 2nd flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Thomas Campbell (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, 9th of 16, dist behind Kelka (10-7) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Lieutenant Gruber (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, smooth headway over 3f out, soon poised to challenge, shaken up to lead over 1f out, clear final furlong, driven out, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) gd in May beating Hag Stone (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Manwell (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off 4 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Scotchtown (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
No Comment Evensfav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, jumped right 4th, headway on outside 3 out, led between last 2, mistake and headed last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Robin Roe (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Zerachiel (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Ld/disp, jnd & hdd briefly apr 3out, wo agn sn aftr, qcknd 4l clr 2out, recdcd ld early str, in command last, kow, won at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m hvy in Apr beating Intheghetto (11-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
