led until approaching 8th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, dived at 2nd, ridden and lost place after 7th, not fluent 8th, weakened 4 out
in rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner before 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, beaten approaching last, one pace
tracked leader, challenged 5th until 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
raced in 4th, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened 4 out
Nonrunner
DON CASTILLE was travelling like a winner when he tipped up at Market Rasen last time out and is taken to gain compensation today. Cheeky Lad has been consistent in Hunter Chases and normal handicaps; so he takes the eye as a big threat, while Russian Invader gets on well with Dominic Elsworth and shouldn't be underestimated either. Russian Invader is on a long losing run, though. And does need luck on his side. Cheeky Lad has crept up the weights since winning at Ludlow in May and now faces a stiff test on these terms. Still, he's a versatile type and can pick up the pieces if the selection fails to deliver for any reason. However, Don Castille has much more scope for improvement and, having already coped with most types of ground, the Sue Smith-trained gelding is unlikely to fazed by the underfoot conditions.
Beherayn 11-1 (10-12) Held up last, hit 8th, went 4th after 4 out, never any chance, 4th of 6, 22l behind Archie Boy (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m nov stks (3) gd in Jun.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged 5th, led approaching 9th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 25l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Sam Whiskey (GER) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, mistakes 5th and 6th, behind next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Dirar (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Russian Invader (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Safari Adventures (11-9) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
No Greater Love (FR) 9-2fav (11-11) Prominent, led 4th to 6th, soon led again, headed 8th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 16, 45l behind Classic Shot (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Le Seychellois (FR) 40-1 (11-0) In touch, not fluent 4th or 7th, weakened after 8th, 8th of 13, 37l behind Ruby Valentine (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd.
Cheeky Lad 6-1 (10-11) Raced enthusiastically, in touch, led after 4th, clear after next until approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd when weakening before last, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Keepitsecret (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Don Castille (USA) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistakes 5th and 8th, went 2nd 9th, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when mistake went right and unseated rider last, in a race won by Nesnaas (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 8 ran.
