prominent and raced keen, mistake 5th, mistake 9th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, chased winner and mistake 3 out, soon outpaced
held up and keen, ridden after 4f out, soon outpaced, chased winner 2f out, blundered last, no impression
chased leaders, mistake 4th, outpaced approaching 3 out, disputing 2nd and beaten when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
made all, drew clear from 3 out, eased towards finish
held up and keen, lost place approaching 8th, pulled up after next
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Who Dares is the pick over Meltonian, with Minster York and Lord Of The Hill in with a shout as well. Who Dares very nearly made his first visit to these shores a winning one when narrowly beaten over the course and distance in July, but was brought down at the third at Southwell next time in first-time blinkers. He now runs in cheekpieces, and as the ex-Irish gelding is still better handicapped over fences than hurdles, he remains one to keep on the right side of. Meltonian nearly defied a year's absence when second at Huntingdon in June, and makes more appeal than Minster York who has been hunter-chasing and has a five-month absence to overcome anyway. Lord Of The Hill has topweight but was just touched off at Worcester the time before last, so he has a squeak, but Who Dares gets the vote.
Minster York 12-1 (12-5) pulled up in race won by Silver Streak (12-5) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in May, 10 ran.
Gentle Beau 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway when mistake 8th, mistake 9th, 7th and beaten when mistake 2 out, 8th of 9, 26l behind Pure Brief (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jul.
Who Dares (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-11) Chasing leaders when brought down at the 3rd in race won by Pure Brief (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf, 13 ran.
Erins Lass (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Jumped right, mid-division until weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Appach (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Jun, 17 ran.
Prince Adjal (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-2) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway 7th and fell at the 8th in race won by Pure Brief (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf, 13 ran.
Stantons Church 2-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Ron Miel (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gf in May, 7 ran.
Lord of The Hill (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Led to 3rd, led 5th, mistake 7th, ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 13, 17l behind Danish Decorum (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Jun.
Meltonian 25-1 (11-6) Always prominent, led after 3 out, soon clear, headed when no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Take The Oath (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Jun.
