tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, modest 3rd
made all, jumped well throughout, clear before 6th, unchallenged
tracked leader, outpaced 4 out, rallied to chase winner after next, never able to challenge
chased leaders, slow 4th and 7th, soon lost touch, kept on after last, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
TOPTHORN's victory at Ludlow last month came in a higher grade. He's lightly raced under Rules and may well be capable of defying a 9lb higher mark here. Plumpton winner Escardo looks held on a line through Ludlow runner-up Benny's Quest, who beat David Bridgwater's gelding at Worcester in August. Guns Of Love was well beaten at Worcester last month after winning over today's C&D on faster ground in August and none of the others make much appeal on recent form, though Al Amaan should be capable of better.
Strawhall Maul (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) Soon tracking leaders, led 15th, headed before 4 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 7l behind Changing Lanes (11-5) at Ludlow 3m am hcp ch 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Benny The Swinger (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, reminders 8th, lost place next, behind when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Hunt Ball (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden after 9th, plugged on before last, never a chance, 5th of 11, 32l behind Local Present (10-1) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.
Wishes Or Watches (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders until weakened before 4 out, tailed off, last of 5, 41l behind Cypress Grove (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Topthorn 7-1 (10-10) Always prominent, led 4 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct beating Bennys Quest (11-1) by 7l, 11 ran.
Al Amaan 10-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, led, headed and stumbled 4 out, chased winner until after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Bazart (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Escardo (GER) 5-2 (10-7) Prominent, jumped right 8th, led 4 out, ridden clear last, ran on well, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct beating Pepito Collonges (9-10) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Murphy (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Zelos Diktator (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep '11, 9 ran.
Normandy Landings 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, well behind Gunship (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr '11.
Guns of Love (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 9th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 6, 42l behind Full Ov Beans (9-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Lerida 18-1 (10-3) Led until 2nd, chased leader until 9th, chased leaders, one pace and no impression, after 3 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Strathaird (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Grand Fella (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 5, well behind Royale's Charter (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
