held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened quickly last
held up in rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never nearer
held up in touch, raced keenly, jumped slowly 9th, weakened before 4 out, well held when fell 2 out
jumped slowly 1st, held up, chased leaders 5th, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden before last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, under pressure 12th, weakening when jumped slowly 3 out, held when fell last
led until 6th, remained prominent, led again 9th, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace under pressure
prominent, led 6th, mistake and headed 9th, gradually weakened, behind from 4 out
A tight affair with six of the seven runners looking capable of landing the spoils but we're going to take a chance with BISHOP'S BRIDGE. He comes with risks attached as it has been a little while since the eleven year old has shown his best form but his last two victories have been achieved at this track where he's unbeaten. His chance really hinges on that and the fact that the handicapper has eased him in the weights following a poor run on his return from a summer break. Armenian Boy brings some of the best recent form into this contest and held every chance when exiting last time but this test isn't certain to play to his strengths and he could find that at least one of his opponents has too much speed. Commemoration Day was a long way behind Free Gift at Stratford last time when making his debut for this yard and may be best watched until showing signs of a return to form. Free Gift was going into that race seeking a hat-trick but was entitled to need the outing and could fare better this time around. Bureaucrat wasn't beaten far at Worcester where a mistake in the closing stages cost him dear on what was just his third start over fences; he could take a hand in the finish if avoiding any mishaps. Borora was well held on his return to action but his wins have been spread out so he's not the easiest to predict and has claims from his current perch if bouncing back to form but we'll be hoping that Bishop's Bridge will be the one to recapture his zest.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, never a factor, 11th of 15, 30l behind Star of Germany (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f listed hcp chs (1) gf in Aug.
Borora 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 10l behind Gaelic Flight (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Bureaucrat 14-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th to 8th, close 3rd when mistake last, kept on same pace flat, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fit To Drive (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Mid-division, struggling 8th, well behind 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind War Of The World (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Armenian Boy (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, well in touch when fell 3 out, in a race won by Gaelic Flight (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep, 10 ran.
Free Gift 14-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 15, 26l behind War Of The World (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Toni Alcala 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along and lost place before 7th, struggling 10th, tailed off when blundered 13th and soon pulled up, in a race won by Shammy Buskins (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sep, 10 ran.
