tracked leader, not fluent 7th, led after 4 out, pressed 3 out, driven flat, hedaed close home
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, headway when blundered and lost place 6th, not fluent 4 out, headway soon after, weakened 3 out
held up, not fluent 1st, reminders and headway after 5th, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind
tracked leader, jumped right 2nd, challenged after 4 out, mistake 2 out, rider lost iron brielfy last, stayed on to lead close home
led, not fluent 4 out, headed soon after, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, mistake 5th, headway next, soon outpaced, went left when behind 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, no chance with front pair
Viable beat High Bird Humphrey in this 12 months ago and is 2lb lower now. His recent form has been modest but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back today. King Brex is only a pound higher than his last win over fences and scored twice over hurdles since, while Exulto was knocking on the door prior to disappointing when favourite at Aintree last month Professor Higgins is capable on his day but STAGECOACH AMBER over C&D 13 days ago and is still well handicapped, despite a subsequent 6lb rise. Sue Smith's gelding can go in again before he's properly reassessed.
Kikos (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leader until hit 6th, went 2nd again before 3 out until after 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Sunday City (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
King Brex (DEN) 20-1 (9-12) Held up, took keen hold, headway after 2nd, challenged 5th, weakened from 2 out, 9th of 14, 27l behind Ixora (9-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Jun.
Exulto (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Held up, very badly hampered 1st, in rear, well beaten 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 22l behind Sunday City (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Viable 10-1 (10-12) Last pair, not fluent and dropped rear 4th, never going after, mistake and ridden 8th, driven and struggling after next, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Life Of A Luso (11-2) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 8, 12l behind The Paddy Premium (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Stagecoach Amber (USA) 10-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon led again, stayed on gamely, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Good Old Days (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Don Castille (USA) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leadedrs in 3rd, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened from 5 out, last of 4, well behind Bob Will (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
High Bird Humphrey 16-1 (10-5) Led, headed 4th, remained prominent, effort 2 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 12, 49l behind Cheshire Prince (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
