close up, lost place 4th, behind from 6th
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
always prominent, led after 3 out, soon clear, headed and no extra flat
held up headway 8th, ridden and stayed on under pressure from 2 out
not jumped well, always towards rear
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened
never better than mid-division
held up, ridden after 3 out, kept on, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, ran on to lead flat
held up, behind and pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
mid-division, ridden 8th and soon outpaced, headway under pressure, 7th approaching last, stayed on to take 3rd flat
Another low-grade turnout can see River Amora follow up a recent success, with Sendonthecheque, Meltonian and Amptina put up as potential dangers. The fact that River Amora has actually won a race lately puts John Best's charge to the fore here, with none of the others standing out. The 10-year-old showed that there is still a race or two in him when making most of the running to land a selling handicap chase at Fontwell nine days ago, for which he now carries a seven-pound penalty. That victory at the Sussex track came as no surprise as he was in with every chance at Plumpton the time before when falling three out. This race is little better than a seller, and in his current mood, River Amora is the one to beat. Sendonthecheque has been consistent enough without winning and hails from a stable in fair form. He is likely to try and force the pace here, while Meltonian, pulled up here last year, is yet another front-runner, but he will surely need the outing. Amptina has not won since 2003 when making all at Southwell. Since then he has been held up off the pace without success, and is hard to make a strong case for on recent efforts. River Amora is the selection.
Cool Dante (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Prominent to 4th, hit 6th, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Danish Decorum (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in May, 10 ran.
Kicasso 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, weakened 2 out, left 2nd last, headed run-in, 4th of 5, 18l behind Laskari (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (D) gf in Apr.
Meltonian 11-4 (11-11) Held up mid-division, progress 6th, mistake next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Runner Bean (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (F) gf, 8 ran.
Ballyboe Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Hampered and unseated rider at the start in race won by Cumbrian Knight (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chs (E) gf in May, 8 ran.
Amptina (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up, badly hampered 4th, some headway 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 22l behind The Staggery Boy (11-11) at Towcester 2m hcp chs (F) gf in May.
Sendonthecheque (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Kimoe Warrior (10-7) at Taunton 3m nov hcp chs (F) gf in Apr.
Rattina (GER) 11-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, chased winner from 3 out, fading when mistake last, 4th of 10, 7l behind Honan (11-9) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in May.
River Amora (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Made all, ridden after 3 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) gf in May beating Borehill Joker (11-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
