tracked leaders, hampered 9th, challenged 3 out, led last, driven out
in rear, jumped slowly 1st, struggling 14th, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 8th, hampered next, struggling 14th, never on terms
led until before 1st, prominent, lost place 8th, behind 12th, tailed off
took keen hold, soon mid-division, headway 5th, led 8th, hit 9th, stumbled and headed, mistake 12th, weakened after 3 out
prominent, hampered 9th, ridden after next, weakened 14th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, went 2nd 6th until jumped right next, left in lead 9th, narrow advantage when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent next, every chance 3 out, weakend last
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, jumped slowly 8th, lost touch 12th, tailed off approaching 4 out, soon pulled up
took keen hold, led approaching 1st, not fluent next, headed 8th, fell next
held up towards rear, headway 9th, jumped right and ridden 11th, left in lead 4 out, headed and mistake last, no extra
held up towards rear, hampered 9th, steady headway from next, ridden after 13th, weakened after 3 out
Backfromthecongo is becoming somewhat of a course specialist and could follow up on a course and distance win last time but with him looking a little high in the weights now we opt for MIDNIGHT GOLD with Lord Gunnerslake also on the list in this Handicap Chase. With one win from one start at this track the pick continued a good run of form this season by missing out by a nose over a slightly longer trip last time. His up in a lb in the weights for that run but that seems fair and he looks booked to give his running again. Backfromthecongo is two from two here with the latest coming last time out. The form from that race has started to work out but life will be tougher with 8lbs extra to carry. Lord Gunnerslake receives weight from all and has won three of his last five attempts. On some of his old form he's still well-weighted so while he has a bit to prove after his last run he can go well for a yard in form. Michigan Assassin made a bold bid when trying to land the two-timer last time and with a couple of lbs removed he should show up again but in a tight looking race Midnight Gold gets the vote.
Midnight Gold 10-3fav (11-7) Held up in 4th/5th, not fluent 9th, headway 16th, went 2nd after 4 out, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, ns behind The Artful Fox (9-9) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Native City (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, reminders after 8th, pushed along 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Bale O'shea (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Quarry Town (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) In touch, mistakes 9th and 12th, soon lost place, 8th of 10, 40l behind Toby Jug (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Strong Coffee 25-1 (11-12) Close up, lost place after 9th, last when fell 12th, in a race won by Ballycarney (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Took keen hold, not fluent 1st, led approaching 2nd, not fluent 5th, mistake 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Bold Policy (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Led 1st, made most after, pecked and headed briefly 9th, ridden 4 out, drew clear approaching last, driven out, won at Ffos Las 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr beating Brenin Cwmtudu (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Portland Bill (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 9th, soon headed, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Oscatello (12-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in May.
Moulin de La Croix 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led going well 4 out, awkward bend before 3 out, soon headed, chased leader, not fluent last, dropped to 3rd final 100 yerds, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Mustangsallyrally (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Turbulance (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, joined leader 13th, chased winner next, mistake 4 out, no impression when lost 2nd last, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Local Present (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd.
Vial De Kerdec (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden and struggling 8th, mistake 10th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Mustangsallyrally (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Naughty By Nature 11-10 (11-7) Made all; clr 11; unchall, won at Trecoed 3m ptp gf beating Oca De Thaix (11-0) by 25l, 4 ran.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Never travelling or jumping with any enthusiasm in rear, ridden along throughout, modest late headway, 7th of 13, 21l behind Play A Cord (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
