prominent, midfield 6th, close up 3 out, driven before 2 out, chased leaders before last, soon weakened
midfield, ridden after 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch, close up 7th, led 8th, ridden and headed narrowly before last, kept on flat but could not match winner
held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch 3 out, tailed off before 2 out
towards rear, headway into midfield 7th, progress to chase leaders 3 out, close up travelling strongly 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, stayed on strongly flat
pulled hard in front, 20 lengths clear 5th, rapidly reduced advantage and headed before 7th where blundered, pulled up before 8th
towards rear, losing ground when ridden 3 out, no impression
chased leader, led chasing group behind clear leader 4th, led before 7th, headed 8th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, awkward 1st, jumped right 2nd and 3rd, well adrift when awkward 4th and ridden, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
Rocky Lake made a winning start over hurdles with a victory at Market Rasen last month. Both Kayf Hernando and Sayadam won their penultimate starts with the former preferred having struggled in Grade 2 company last time. But all of the above are penalised and HOB HOUSE may take advantage as he won a bumper here on his racecourse debut back in March and his dam is a half-sister to stablemate and high-class Champion Hurdle winner Epatante. Idols's Eye placed over a longer trip here early in the year and Charles Ritz debuts under Rules.
Kayf Hernando 14-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 37l behind Blazing Khal (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Rocky Lake (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Led after 1st, wandered into 2nd and 3rd, headed narrowly 2 out, led again before last, tried to jump path flat and got unbalanced, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Socialist Agenda (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Sayadam (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader and came to lead before 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on after last, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Iontach Cheval (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Champ Is Real 25-1 (11-4) Front mid-division, lost place and pushed along in rear 4 out, soon lost touch and tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Alchemystique (10-11) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Charles Ritz Evensfav (11-7) Stdy hdwy 12; outpcd 3 out; kpt on flat; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Tip Top Mountain (12-0) at Wadebridge 3m mdn gs in Dec.
Hob House (FR) 5-2fav (10-9) Made all, led and took keen hold, pressed home turn, ridden when faced strong challenge 2f out, asserted and in control after 1f out, pushed out, won at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Mar beating Brorson (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Hooky Street (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led early, tracked leaders, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, 3rd and well held final furlong, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Hugos New Horse (10-13) at Worcester 2m (5) sft in Oct.
Idols's Eye (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Midfield, every chance 2 out, progress into second before last, not pace of winner, lost second on line, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Rapid Flight (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in May.
Isla Diamonds 28-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Shighness (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (5) gd in Nov.
