tracked leaders, mistake 7th, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner from last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, not fluent 4th, outpaced 6th, not fluent 4 out, well held 2 out
mid-division, blundered 5th, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten next
tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden clear from last, easily
held up in rear, jumped slowly 6th and 7th, effort after 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
held up in rear, steady headway from 6th, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, no impression next
pressed leader until ridden before 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, pressed for 2nd after last, no impression on winner, one pace in 3rd towards finish
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra flat
Nonrunner
This looks quite competitive but it's difficult to leave VIRGILIO out of calculations given the ease in which he scored over course and distance in May. A 13lb higher mark is obviously a concern but he'll handle the ground and still gets 4lb from the consistent Handiwork. Cheltenham second Fort Worth is probably a shade high in the weights at present, as is Un Ace, but Bowdler's Magic has suddenly got his act together while Last Supper has each-way claims if back on song. It would be no surprise to see an improved performance from Qualando as well but Karinga Dancer is best watched back over timber.
Un Ace (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 4th when not fluent last, stayed on same pace and no impression on leaders flat, 4th of 16, 8l behind Rons Dream (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Handiwork 6-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, led before next, headed last, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Sky Khan (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Qualando (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Prominent, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 8, 21 1/2l behind Devilment (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Virgilio (FR) 11-8fav (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear final 100 yards, readily, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May beating Sea Lord (11-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Karinga Dancer 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, struggling 5th, slow next, behind 7th, pulled up before 4 out, at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Fort Worth (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway when mistake 2 out, every chance last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Leave At Dawn (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bowdler's Magic 11-4fav (11-5) Prominent, led after 1st, hard driven 2 out, strongly challenged last, stayed on gamely closing stages (2 hurdles omitted), won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Bollin Ace (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fort Smith (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, 3rd and dropped off leaders before 10th, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 17 1/2l behind Viconte Du Noyer (11-8) at Killarney 2m 5f gd in Aug.
Last Supper 25-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch 3 out, no impression next, soon edged left, 5th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Blue Buttons (10-12) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) sft in Oct.
Bell Weir 25-1 (8-11) Held up, always behind, 14th of 16, 31 1/4l behind Gleese The Devil (9-6) at York 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
