chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, headway when mistake 6th, fell next
led until approaching and mistake 2nd, hit next, lost place after 4th, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway 3rd, chased leaders 6th, ridden to challenge approaching last, ran on, just failed
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, mistake last, kept on same pace
raced in rear, pushed along approaching 8th, soon beaten, tailed off
mid-division, soon pulled hard, led before 2nd, hard ridden when strongly challenged approaching last, all out, held on gamely
Mad Professor won over this trip at Worcester in June and will enjoy the fast ground. But he was pulled up behind The Grey One at Hereford subsequently and that one was no match for MILLERS REEF at the same track earlier. Jamie Snowden's charge didn't run up to his winning form at Stratford next time but wasn't punished once his chance had gone and remains open to further improvement. He gets the vote here with Bennys Quest carrying a penalty for last week's easy win against modest opposition at Worcester. Sheepclose won at Southwell last month but the merit of that form is hard to weigh up.
Bennys Quest (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside, led 9th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Escardo (10-12) by 7l, 13 ran.
Millers Reef (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced after next, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 44l behind Giant O Murchu (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
Meglio Ancora 15-2 (10-9) Chased leading trio until slow and lost place 3rd, not fluent apoor 5th when mistake 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Lady Willa (10-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan '11.
Cian Boy (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th, not fluent 8th, outpaced by leading trio 11th, no chance after, 4th of 7, 36l behind Russian War (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Jul.
Sheepclose (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Held up in last pair, headway 4 out, chased leaders in 4th when blundered next, no impression approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 13l behind Le Grand Chene (10-6) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jul.
The Grey One (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, disputing 7th when fell 5 out, in a race won by Citrus Mark (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul, 14 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge after last, weakened final 200 yards, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Ballybough Gorta (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Guns of Love (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Led, clear before 5th until 7th, headed 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Bennys Quest (11-6) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
