held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders 3 out, ridden when mistake 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out
led, hit 6th, ridden and headed 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, mistake 8th, led 14th, hit 3 out, headed 2 out, and weakened
always in the rear, tailed off from 10th
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 15th, faded flat
towards rear, headway 8th, ridden 4 out, stayed on, hanging right
towards rear, some progress 15th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 15th, ridden 4 out, kept on to chase winner close home
in touch, mistakes 3rd, jumped right 4th, reminders and lost place 8th
in rear, hit 1st, mistake 12th, weakened 15th, pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
It can pay to continue to oppose the disappointing De Soto and we shall be siding with BERMUDA POINTE although it would be no surprise were the honours to go to either Mey Clouds or Kalmo Bay amongst others. If the latter is every going to get three miles then it will be at a track like this but he hasn't obviously appeared to be in need of a stamina test in the past. He's still a young horse who should have more to offer though and, as such, he merits respect. Mey Clouds has only had a handful of starts for his new yard and should also be able to progress through the ranks but he will need to have done plenty of remedial work on his jumping during his absence. De Soto appears to have lost his way and remains opposable despite being potentially thrown in over fences. Super Judge, Valiant Shadow and Potts Of Magic are all entertained with doubts existing about the selection but the Twiston-Davies runner deserves another chance. His season went south after a similar start to last term and there's a concern that it may do the same this year, an 11lb rise for his win in a modest contest also seems to be something of an overreaction whilst both of his wins over fences came with David England in the plate. He's a young, lightly raced horse though and Bermuda Pointe may be able to build on his reappearance this time around. (Ian Ogg)
Flashy Sir 8-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, led approaching 8th, jumped right 2 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Commemoration Day (10-12) at Stratford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Jul.
De Soto 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened after 10th, 3rd of 8, 30l behind Hypnotic Vibes (10-7) at Southwell 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Valiant Shadow (GER) 11-2 (11-12) Chased winner, reminder after 5th, hit 10th, soon relegated to rear, ridden and weakened after next, 6th of 7, 31l behind Andrew Nick (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Sept.
Bermuda Pointe (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Always prominent, headway 4 out, led next, clear when not fluent last, ridden and held on flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept beating Brave Jo (11-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 5-2fav (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, soon chasing leaders, not fluent last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Toni Alcala (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Neutrino 8-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led last, stayed on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept beating Monzon (10-11) by 6l, 13 ran.
Super Judge (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake 4th, behind when fell 4 out in race won by Darina's Boy (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Mey Clouds (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Not jumped well, mid-division, struggling after 11th, blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Aleron (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept, 14 ran.
Potts of Magic 2-1fav (11-5) Held up, pushed along 5th, behind and reminders 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Croc An Oir (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May, 8 ran.
Pukka Tique 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, reminders 7th, under pressure 9th, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 30l behind Bengo (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Bodacious (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear, steady headway from 6 out, soon tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 16, well behind Alickadoo (10-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp chs 0-109 gs in Sept.
Ede'iff 7-2 (11-0) Always in touch, 2nd approaching 4 out, led and hit 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in May beating Young Tot (11-3) by 5l, 14 ran.
