chased leaders, hampered 2nd, slow 4th, not fluent 6th, mistake and lost place 7th, hampered 14th, soon behind, rallied approaching last, no impression flat
held up in mid-division, not much room 6th, headway 12th, 5th and in touch when fell 14th
held up, raced keenly, closed 6th, went 2nd after 2 out, every chance last, driven flat, no impression final 75 yards
in rear, mistake 1st, closed 4th, lost place after 8th, not fluent 11th, pulled up after 13th
chased leader, led 7th, headed next, lost 2nd after 2 out, no impression last
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went right next and bumped, not fluent 4 out, outpaced and held after
led until mistake next, led next, not fluent 15th, pressed last, stayed on gamely
fell 2nd
in rear, headway 8th, lost place 10th, struggling 12th, 6th and just about in touch when brought down 14th
Skipthescales is back on a winning mark but hasn’t run over fences in 18 months and hasn’t raced anywhere since second over hurdles at Catterick in March. Court Dreaming has gone up 2lb for finishing second at Perth but Scoop The Pot will have needed his run at Uttoxeter in July and Shanroe Street could figure in first-time cheekpieces. JEN’S BOY is a rare runner here for Nicky Henderson and looks poised to record a first victory over fences as he’ll be suited by this stiff track.
Skipthescales (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led 6th, ridden between last 2, stayed on when hard pressed flat, headed final stride, 2nd of 10, hd behind Strike West (10-7) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Court Dreaming (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, rallied into 3rd before next, left in 5 lengths 2nd at the last, closed all the way to the line, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Somethinboutangela (11-4) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Jen's Boy 5-4fav (11-12) Chased leader, mistake 10th, hit next, ridden along with a circuit to go, good jump to lead 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, still in contention last, no extra final 100yds, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Easyrun De Vassy (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Scoop The Pot (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, mistake 4th, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Western Miller (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 25-1 (11-13) Prominent, led before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Costly Dream (10-0) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Shanroe Street (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led early, chased leader, led 4 out, headed before final bend, faded final 150 yards, 4th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Elmono (12-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Damiens Dilemma (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Tracked leader until 12th, lost place next, pulled up 3 out, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Swinton Diamond (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, lost place before 7th, behind and struggling next, tailed off and pulled up after 9th, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Apache Pilot 28-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, effort 14th, weakened before last, 6th of 14, 22 3/4l behind Costly Dream (10-0) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Sep.