chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, disputing close 4th when fell 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 5th, chased leaders 4 out, led 3 out, joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, kept battling away flat
towards rear, headway on outside from 10th, chasing leaders when not fluent 12th, ridden and weakened to 9th when badly hampered and unseated rider after 2 out
towards rear, mistake 4th, ridden along 9th, never on terms
mid-division, hit 11th, reminders next, struggling soon after, no chance when hampered 2 out
towards rear, headway 12th, disputing close 3rd 2 out, stayed on from last
always towards rear, ridden and struggling 4 out
prominent, chased leader 6th, challenged 2 out, narrow lead last, edged right and kept on under pressure flat
never reached beyond mid-division, ridden before 12th, weakening when mistake 4 out
towards rear, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after next
prominent until ridden 10th, lost place next, struggling when hit 4 out
mistakes 2nd and 10th always towards rear
mid-division, headway and in touch before 3 out, left modest 5th and hampered 2 out
towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 4th
tended to jump right, led and soon clear, reduced lead and headed 3 out, soon ridden along, weakened and fell next
held up in rear, good headway before 3 out, went 3rd and hit 2 out, no chance with leading duo
prominent until ridden along 8th, weakened 10th soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
With 18 runners to choose from this is not the easiest of races to solve and what can only be a tentative vote goes to RORY BOY, who represents the yard of Nigel Twiston-Davies that can do little wrong at present and this second season chaser looks reasonably well treated for his first start in a handicap over fences. Passato is four out of four this term but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper having been raised another 9lb for his most recent win. The Paul Nicholls-trained Classic Swain is another that has been running well, while Jonjo O'Neill's Yellow Flag seems a shade high in the weights. Oiseau de Nuit and You're The Top could both be of interest first time up this term and any market support for either should be noted. Paul Webber's Edgbriar is another to consider but it is Rory Boy that gets the vote.
Gwanako (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Led until after 3rd, led next, narrow advantage when hit 3 out, crumpled on landing and headed, not recover, 6th of 7, 30l behind Duc De Regniere (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Chaninbar (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Well behind when pulled up after 2nd, in a race won by I'm So Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered 9th, pushed along before 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind I'm So Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Classic Swain (USA) 9-2fav (11-6) Hampered 1st, mid-division, headway after 10th, ridden next, challenged winner 3 out, held towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Passato (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Aug.
Passato (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 11th, led and hard pressed from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Aug beating Classic Swain (11-6) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
You're The Top (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 3rd approaching 4 out, closer in 4th 3 out, no extra in 6th when jumped left 2 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Cuan Na Grai (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent, led 4th until 7th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Edgbriar (FR) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 16, 43l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Il Duce (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 16, 28l behind Tranquil Sea (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Rory Boy (USA) 6-4fav (11-6) Led, pushed along going to 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on and headed post, 2nd of 5, hd behind Gringo (11-3) at Perth 2m nov chs (2) sft in Apr.
Star of Germany (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Passato (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Aug, 16 ran.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Auroras Encore (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m lstd hcp chs (1) sft in May, 12 ran.
Private Be 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, in rear from 6th, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 47l behind Storymaker (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Yellow Flag 7-2 (10-9) Raced in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on under pressure, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind West With The Wind (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Aug.
Frosted Grape (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) With leader, led 3rd, headed 9th, mistake 11th, jumped right 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 16l behind Sir Ian (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sep.
Free World (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up last, reminders after 5th, ridden 12th, rallied approaching 2 out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Soulard (11-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Pressed leader, led and made most from 3rd until headed 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 9l behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Russian Flag (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 5th of 9, 17l behind Songe (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
