hampered 1st, mid-division, ridden 11th, stayed on flat, never dangerous
badly hampered 1st, pulled after next
hampered 1st, mid-division, headway after 10th, ridden next, challenged winner 3 out, held towards finish
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway 11th, led and hard pressed from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
held up towards rear, disputing 8th 4 out, never on terms
with leader, jumped left 6th, lost 2nd when jumping slowly 10th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakening when not fluent 11th, pulled up before 4 out
made most until 11th, mistake next, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
hampered 1st, always in rear, tailed off
jumped right and bumped 1st, tracked leaders, bumped 6th, not fluent 12th, weakened 3 out
hampered and fell 1st
hampered 1st, mid-division, disputing 8th 4 out, stayed on well approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, nearest finish
prominent, challenged 10th, led next, ridden and headed 3 out, no impression before next, one pace
fell 1st
hampered 1st, held up in rear, headway 11th, hit next, chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, one pace from next
A good number of these hold solid claims for success, so GRAND SLAM HERO is only a speculative nominee at the head of the shortlist; Passato has been in crackling form and deserves to take his chance at this level after winning performances at Exeter and Stratford (won there twice since May). This is a lot tougher so Tom O'Brien's charge needs to raise his game once more. Being the mount of Ruby Walsh, Classic Swain will no doubt be a popular choice. However, he is also a notoriously inconsistent individual and is a risky one to dive overboard with at cramped odds. Star Of Germany goes well fresh and is another to bear in mind if he is supported before the off. However, Grand Slam Hero was most progressive before tipping up at the first in the Galway Plate last time out. He is a much better jumper than that and has a chance to redeem himself here.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, challenged after 10th, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 16, 14l behind Grand Slam Hero (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Fell 1st, in a race won by Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul, 22 ran.
Classic Swain (USA) 3-1fav (11-10) Wanted to hang left, chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, led after 3 out, reminder between last 2, in command last, kept up to work, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd beating Norborne Bandit (10-5) by 4l, 7 ran.
Star of Germany (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakening when not fluent last, 9th of 13, 14l behind Poquelin (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Oct.
Passato (GER) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader 2nd, led before 3 out, in command last, ran on well (no time taken), won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Jul beating Mibleu (10-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
Postmaster 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after next, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Valley Ride (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) In touch from 1st, weakened after 9th, 8th of 16, 38l behind Grand Slam Hero (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Killenaule Boy 20-1 (11-10) Mistake 2nd, prominent, dropped to 6th approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Invisible Man (10-8) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Jul.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, not fluent when headway 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Grand Slam Hero (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Au Courant (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, went 5th after 11th, took closer order 5 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 34l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Pallasmore (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Chased leader in 2nd, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 7l behind Banna Man (9-3) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gf.
Radetsky March (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Chased leader, bumped 2nd, mistake 8th, challenged 5 out, led soon after 3 out, in command 2 out, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul beating Nudge And Nurdle (11-1) by 8l, 8 ran.
Silverburn (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Mid-division, hampered 4th, lost place before next, headway approaching 9th, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on well flat, 4th of 16, 10l behind Grand Slam Hero (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Qulinton (FR) 11-4 (11-1) Jumped left early, led, ridden before 4 out, headed after 3 out, one pace last, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Vodka Brook (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Keen, held up, headway to challenge 12th, chased leader next, led 3 out, soon driven, 4 lengths ahead last, hung right flat, no extra and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Seize (10-8) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Swing Bill (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, challenged and upsides when left clear 2 out, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (4) gf in Jul beating Ballyvesey (11-0) by 25l, 6 ran.
