chased leaders, led 5 out, stayed on well from last
behind, never dangerous
held up headway 9th, chased winner from 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, lost place 4 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, one pace
held up in rear, rapid headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 2 out
held up behind, blundered 10th, soon pulled up
in touch, outpaced from 4 out
tracked leader, chased winner from 3 out until next, weakened last
mid-division, reminders 4th, lost place 5 out
always behind
always behind, tailed off from 11th
led to 12th, soon weakened
in touch, weakened from 8th
This is another competitive race in which Pop Ahead is taken to come out on top; the main dangers could be Cloudmor and Spirit Calling. The selection ran well when second behind Captain Marlon at Chepstow last time on his chasing debut. He has his ground today and he looks the most likely winner. Cloudmor has got some decent form in this sphere but he lacks the scope of our selection and all his wins have come with plenty of give underfoot. Spirit Calling has been running consistently well and he lost no caste in defeat here last time when a close third behind Top Dressing. He should be winning before too long and he is respected. The Nomad is far from reliable but he does have ability and he hails from a shrewd yard so he could go well at a price. A tricky race this which can go the way of Pop Ahead.
Cloudmor (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Raced keenly in touch, lost place 6th, no danger after, 8th of 13, well behind Mumbles Head (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Apr.
Sands Rising 40-1 (10-8) Behind, saddle slipped 2nd and pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Rayshan (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 14 ran.
Pop Ahead (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, led and pecked 4 out, soon ridden, went right and headed next, held when went right 2 out and last, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Captain Marlon (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
The Nomad 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened 12th and pulled up at the last in race won by Beehawk (9-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, pushed along 5 out, outpaced next, stayed on well from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Top Dressing (11-8) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Hollows Mill 8-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 5l behind Heavenly Chorus (9-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Sharkeys Dream (FR) 11-1 (10-8) Held up, head way approaching 9th, kept on from last, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Souffleur (11-2) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Ocarina (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 8l behind Top Dressing (11-8) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Loch Oscaig 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Miss Rideamight (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
Thenford Lord (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 46l behind Alfadora (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf.
Mrdeegeethegeegee (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Always behind, 13th of 14, 50l behind Leslingtaylor (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Ballynure (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 36l behind Carroll's O'Tully (10-0) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Devils And Dust (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed run in, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Scott's Mill (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 1f amt hcp hdl (5) gd.
Toy Gun (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, lost place 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 39l behind Escayola (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Black Chalk (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Raced keenly and led, headed 4th, led again 9th, slipped badly and headed next, rallied 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Russian Sky (9-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Whatcanyasay 11-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden 5 out, soon outpaced, 9th of 16, 43l behind Lawaaheb (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
