prominent, stumbled and unseated rider 2nd
held up, headway to chase winner 5th, stumbled 9th, jumped well 4 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last
mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and outpaced 9th, stayed on well from 3 out, went 3rd flat
made all, jumped left throughout, hit 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on well
mid-division, headway 8th, chased winner briefly 9th, ridden 4 out, hit 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, hit 8th, ridden 9th, held when fell 3 out
A poor race given good prize money and Armoury House is taken to see off Vibe and Fit To Drive. Armoury House does come a little under the category of exposed performer but he is a better chaser than hurdler and he ran well at Southwell before the petrol gauge hit empty. Over today's shorter trip, he must have made Paddy Brennan's job difficult to choose between the pair. Vibe ran a stinker at Southwell earlier in the week but this race is so modest that he cannot be ruled out. Fit To Drive wouldn't mind any overnight rain. He makes a chasing debut having performed creditably but without success over the smaller obstacles. Golden Feather has proved a bitter disappointment having demonstrated earlier promise. My Friend Johnnie can be anticipated to have come on for a first run for almost a year. Armoury House is the call.
My Friend Johnnie (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Vintage Fabric (10-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Fit To Drive 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Lord Ryeford (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Golden Feather 40-1 (11-9) In touch, chased leader approaching 7th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 13, 46l behind McQueen (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, went 2nd at 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Yellow Flag (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Armoury House 8-1 (11-5) With leaders, led 3rd to 8th, led 4 out, headed last, weakened flat, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Royal China (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Vibe 5-2fav (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along 8th, beaten next, 5th of 8, 16l behind Ground Breaker (11-1) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Mortar 100-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 34l behind Indian Pipe Dream (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
