refused to race
held up in 5th, headway on outside after 4 out, shaken up and not quicken approaching 2 out, no impression before last
held up in 4th, tracked leaders after 4 out, effort and every chance when mistake 2 out, soon lost place, no impression before last
tracked leading pair, driven and one pace after 3 out, rallied to press winner last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra towards finish
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, kept on same pace from next
tracked leader, led 3 out, hard pressed last, soon ridden, stayed on well towards finish
held up in rear, switched outside 3 out, headway before next, went 3rd last, ridden and kept on flat, not reach front pair
WINNER MASSAGOT last ran over hurdles in 2015 but did win a Class 2 handicap that year off a mark of 123 and races of 115 here. He also bolted up over fences at Fontwell on Sunday and the fact that he is running again so quickly suggests he’s back to his best. Canoodle has a first run since winning off a 5lb lower mark at Kempton in May but there are possibilities about last month’s Stratford third Red Hot Chilly. Milan Of Crystal, Dr Dunraven and Solstalla are also previous course winners but need to improve on recent efforts.
Canoodle 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, hung right and went 2nd between last 2, led towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in May beating Cascaye (10-13) by 1l, 9 ran.
Winner Massagot (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Held up behind, went 4th behind clear leaders before 5th, headway into 2nd after 4 out, led on bit approaching next, soon clear, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Skint (11-3) by 26l, 6 ran.
Dr Dunraven 13-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression when switched left 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 6, 17 1/2l behind Holryale (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Red Hot Chilly (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, pressing winner after 2 out, 3rd and held when not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Innocent Touch (12-1) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Delirious Love (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Artful Artist (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Solstalla 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Leapaway (11-4) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Milan Of Crystal (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd last, no impression, one pace, 3rd of 7, 8 3/4l behind Stepover (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
