mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out and led soon after fence, clear last, eased towards finish until pushed out close home
in touch, mistake 7th, blundered badly 9th, not fluent 3 out, every chance when fell 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakening when not fluent last
mid-division, jumped slowly 8th (water), headway approaching 4 out, stayed on under pressure flat
chased leaders, hit 4 out, lost place approaching 3 out, no impression after, hampered 2 out
held up towards rear, making progress when blundered badly 9th, rider lost iron, took time to recover, headway when hampered 2 out, stayed on flat
always in rear, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
in rear, jumped right, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent and reminders 5th, headway approaching 3 out, not much room on inside end after 2 out, went 2nd after last, closed as winner eased towards finish, always held
chased leader, led 6th, blundered 3 out, soon headed, still every chance 2 out, weakened flat
led, jumped right 3rd, headed 6th, chased leader, every chance 2 out, one pace flat
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, some headway after 2 out, never in contention
While there's no doubting Tim Vaughan's War Of The World has hit some form we're taking a chance with Paul Nicholls' POQUELIN, who should be seen in a much better light now downed in class, while Watch My Back remains of interest after a good run in defeat last time. Having not been completely disgraced in two top handicaps on his last two outings, first here during the festival and then at Aintree, the pick now finds himself against much lower grade opposition. It is a slight concern he's yet to win in handicap company in either jumps sphere but if running like he can he should win. War Of The World has looked progressive in two starts for his current yard and was only just beaten to listed honours last time. His handicap mark remains 13lbs higher than when scoring two starts back but he should run a decent race. Watch My Back found just a subsequent winner too good by a head on his seasonal bow last time and his five pound mark rise looks fair as we expect him a bit sharper this time. Private Be also looks a challenger on his return to action especially with a top apprentice removing weight from his back but Poquelin should make class count.
Poquelin (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, ridden after 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never near leaders, 7th of 17, 14l behind Oh Crick (11-1) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
War Of The World (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, soon dropped back to mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Valley Ride (9-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Star of Germany (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th 3 out, no extra and weakened, 13th of 18, 34l behind Northern Alliance (11-2) at Listowel 3m Ext hcp chs in Sep.
Hold Em (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 9th of 17, 27l behind Backstage (10-1) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Aug.
Private Be 7-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 7th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 24l behind Atouchbetweenacara (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Watch My Back 7-1 (11-10) Patiently ridden well in rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, ran on flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Gaelic Flight (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Mount Benger 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, behind from 8th, stayed on to almost grab remote 2nd near finish, 3rd of 4, 50l behind Ogee (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov stks (3) gf.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) In touch, blundered and unseated rider 10th (Bechers Brook), in a race won by Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Mhilu (IRE) 15-8 (11-8) Held up in touch, led approaching 8th, jumped right last 3 fences, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f noc chs (3) gf in Sep beating Diablo (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Ellerslie George (10-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sep.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Jumped left 1st, held up, mistake 5th, hampered and fell 8th, in a race won by Tyup Pompey (10-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 9-2fav (11-1) Jumped right, led, mistake 12th, headed next, left in lead 14th, headed 15th, regained lead before 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Aleron (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 13-2 (10-3) In touch, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Templer (11-7) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May.
