A slightly odd contest in which a steady early pace was followed by the leaders doing a bit too much before the home straight (5f out to 3f out about 5 lengths quicker than the later useful handicap) and the complexion changed quite a bit late on. It may not be the most reliable bits of form, with an apparent no-hoper finishing third, but has been treated as smart for now. The winner himself was much stronger at the finish than those he beat, having been in trouble between the last 2, running the final 4f in 57.03s (106.9% finishing speed).
HOME BY THE LEE (h160 here, 157 previously) repeated his win from 2 years before but that looked unlikely between the last 2 as he dropped to 6th/7th and hit 84/1 in running, really finding his stride approaching the last, leading soon after it and storming clear for pressure. He can be a lazy/quirky type but has built up quite a record in hurdles, second only to Teahupoo (rated 4 lb higher than him) in the staying division.
BOB OLINGER (h155 here, 159 previously) was close to form at a trip that taxes his stamina (and perhaps his resolution also), travelling smoothly held up and getting to the front when none too fluent at the last, one paced thereafter. He has suffered more than most from a clearly defined 20f hurdle series.
ROCKY’S DIAMOND (h152? here, 132 previously) appeared to run out of his skin and has been credited with it for now, sloppy at a few towards the rear but in touch, under pressure after 2 out but seeing things out better than most.
SANDOR CLEGANE (h149 here, 148 previously) ran creditably but did not impress with his finishing effort, tracking until leading going OK between the last 2 (went quite short in-running), only to carry his head awkwardly and find nothing.
HEWICK (h142 here, 158 previously) is better over fences but paid for making his bid some way from home, headed approaching the last and dropping away. Chances are, he will be back.
ASTERION FORLONGE (h140+ here, 153 previously) shaped as if better for the race, his first for 240 days, taking a good hold and leading/close up until dropping away approaching the last, shaping well enough up until that point.
BEACON EDGE (h136 here, 149 previously) is being kept busy but ran one of his lesser races.
NOBLE YEATS (h0 here, 151 previously) was in trouble by halfway and has possibly lost enthusiasm.
