held up, headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, ridden right out
behind, reminders 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, headway to join leaders 9th, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear when jumped right last, ridden and headed flat, kept on
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened last
tracked leader, disputed lead 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd after last, no impression with 1st 2
led and jumped right, mistake 8th, ridden and headed 11th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, led 11th, headed 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened flat
Basic Fact is back on a handy mark now and can take this chase from Bestofthebrownies and Emerald Destiny. The selection was second to the useful Cape Stormer at Fontwell last time off this mark, but meets nothing in such good form here. Not long since he was runner up off an 8lb higher mark over hurdles, he acts on the ground and provided he handles the undulations here he can take this. Bestofthebrownies was a winner over c&d in April. That was in a beginners' chase and he could not follow up in novices' company when last seen out, so it seems a big ask to give weight away all around on his handicap debut. Emerald Destiny looks best of the remainder. His form here is good and he loves fast ground, so with first-time blinkers to concentrate his mind, a win would not be a big shock. But Basic Fact is tough, genuine and can take this prize.
Bestofthebrownies (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway when blundered 3 out, kept on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Tessanoora (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (3) gf in May.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Always behind and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mighty Fine (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul, 11 ran.
Basic Fact (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Prominent, chased leader 9th, led approaching 10th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Cape Stormer (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Nagano (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Mistake 1st, mid-division, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Own Line (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Sept, 13 ran.
Karo de Vindecy (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Led, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 21l behind Milord Lescribaa (11-11) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Aug.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led, headed 4 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 4th of 13, 33l behind Own Line (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Own Line (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
