with winner until mistake 12th, weakened before next, soon in rear
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 10th, ridden before bend (over 1f out) stayed on and held towards finish
made all, ridden after last, held on towards finish
behind, blundered 12th, pushed along before next, soon weakened
held up towards rear and in touch, mistake 4th, one pace and no impression
held up towards rear, went 3rd from 13th, ridden after last, kept on run-in
All seven have claims in a good handicap chase. Dual course winner Scotswell must be respected but has to concede weight all round, whilst Dark Glacier's stamina will prove a useful ally. Balbriggan, formerly with Henrietta Knight and then Mick Channon, has to be of interest now with Gordon Elliott, whilst Welsh Bard, consistent though he is, may just find this hard going against such seasoned a handicap chaser. Big Sound and Silver Man were first and third at Uttoxeter last time with less than a length between them and are handicapped to dead-heat here. PRESENTING JUNIOR makes plenty of appeal off the bottom rung though off just 10-4. A smooth winner at Hexham when last seen in June, he has a course win to his name and can usually be relied upon to run his race. Harry Challoner's 3lb claim is an added bonus.
Scotswell 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 11, 24l behind Book'em Danno (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Jun.
Dark Glacier (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Led until 4 out, rallied next, weakened last, 5th of 6, 10l behind His Excellency (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in Jul.
Balbriggan (IRE) 6-1fav (10-6) Mid-division, fell 4th, in a race won by Aranhill Chief (10-2) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd, 20 ran.
Welsh Bard (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Chased leaders, under pressure 6 out, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Western King (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Big Sound 10-3fav (10-11) Led, headed 10th, tracked leader, led again 4 out, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, held on gamely flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul beating Handsome Dan (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Presenting Junior (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 12th, went 2nd 2 out, led just after last, driven clear flat, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Jun beating Everylasting (9-9) by 7l, 11 ran.
Silver Man 7-2 (11-10) Always prominent, driven before 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Big Sound (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
