led, took keen hold, headed after 7th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, lost place 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, ridden after 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, hung right and hit rails when no impression towards finish
held up, mistake 4th, headway 6th, ridden after 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened next
with leader, not fluent 1st or 2nd, led after 7th, ridden after 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up in 6th, headway 10th, went 3rd after 4 out, led 2 out, rider dropped whip after last, stayed on well
prominent, not fluent 5th, challenged 4 out until 2 out, weakened flat
Nonrunner
PISTOLET NOIR is a rare runner here for the champion trainer. He jumped well enough on his Cartmel chasing bow when outpointed by the useful Al Qeddaaf and was best of these over timber by some way. He may just have too much class for his rivals, of whom Sunsetten and Closesthingtocrazy appeal most. The pair finished third and fourth here last time behind Points Of View although Sunsetten would have gone close to winning but for a howler at the last. Both should improve again and pose a viable threat to the Nicholls' charge. Ballagio displayed average ability over hurdles but has always looked more of a chasing type and Kim Bailey has a useful line to the form here via Points Of View.
Alfloramoor 20-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th off the pace, took keen hold, behind 10th, left 3rd 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Points of View (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Jun.
Ballagio (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, driven into modest 4th approaching 3 out, never in contention, 4th of 9, 32l behind San Deng (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Celticello (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, effort on inside 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 19l behind Lastroseofsummer (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Closesthingtocrazy 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5th, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 8, 10l behind Points of View (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Pistolet Noir (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked winner throughout, outpaced after last, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Al Qeddaaf (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Sunsetten (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Held up, not fluent 5th, pushed along 9th, ridden after next, headway 4 out, led and mistake 2 out, narrowly headed when blundered last, not recover, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Points of View (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Topenhall (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, went 2nd 3rd, led after 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 7, 9l behind Speedy Directa (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Laureldean River (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 5, 45l behind Amazing King (11-0) at Southwell 2m beg chase (5) gd in May.
