led until not fluent 1st, chased winner until approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, not quicken
led from 1st, made rest, driven out flat
in rear, struggling from 4th, blundered 5th, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, hit 8th, chased winner aproaching 3 out until after 2 out, weakened after last
held up mid-division, behind from 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
NOTRE CYBORG can follow up last month's success at Perth, chiefly at the expense of Apocal and Araldur. Donald McCain Junior's gelding shouldn't have any problems with the cut in the ground, even though his best performances last year came on quick going. There have been one or two concerns about his jumping, but with a patient ride he could be the one to be on here. Apocal, a Flat winner as a two-year-old, could be the one to try and set the pace. He should be fresh, having been off the track since January. Placed in his last couple of events over hurdles, Paul Nicholls' runner has up to a stone advantage on most of his rivals and is likely to be supported. Araldur has plenty in hand too; a facile winner last time out in a three-runner contest and Alan King's only runner of the day.
Orfeo Conti (FR) 4-1 (10-6) Led 1st, headed 4th, chased leader, mistake 10th, led after 3 out, hung right from between last 2, headed last, not run on, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Loita Hills (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, steady headway after 4f out, challenging when left 3 lengths clear, last, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sept beating Carthys Cross (11-3) by 11l, 9 ran.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Led, headed approaching 6th, led again after 4 out, jumped right 3 out, jumped right and headed 2 out, blundered last, 5th of 11, 15l behind Jazz Dance (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Space Star 33-1 (11-11) Soon detatched in rear, plenty to do approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from next, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 7l behind Caliban (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Glengarra (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Pulled up, led until 6th, ridden after next, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Genghis (11-5) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Aug, 6 ran.
Araldur (FR) (10-3) won at Vittel 2m 2f chs gd in Jul beating Quinifile (10-12) by 20l, 11 ran.
Apocal (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) In touch, chased leaders after 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Luxurix (11-5) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Kercabellec (FR) 28-1 (10-6) Held up, mid-division, lost place halfway, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bermuda Pointe (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept, 13 ran.
