in touch to halfway, soon behind
prominent, led 10th, clear 3 out, very easily
chased leaders, weakened 5 out
led to 10th, chased winner until 2 out, faded
prominent to 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway, in touch halfway, ridden, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Peter Bowen has had his string in really good form this term but it is hard to envisage either of his two runners here Sir Monty and Don't Ask Me being good enough to get the better of COOL OPERATOR, who gets the vote. Howard Johnson's gelding is less exposed than his rivals after just four career starts, has shown a reasonable level of form over hurdles and it is of interest that his in-form trainer puts him over fences as early as this. Cash Man has shown some ability in limited opportunities over the larger obstacles, while Norborne Bandit ran better at Bangor last time but probably needs to improve again on that effort to trouble the judge. David Pipe's Wise Owl had arguably the best form of these over hurdles and made a pleasing start to his chasing career when a close fourth behind Levitski at Worcester last month, form on which he has to be respected. Rightful Ruler was capable over hurdles and has to be respected on his chasing debut but marginal preference in a potentially informative contest is for another chasing newcomer Cool Operator.
Cash Man (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, weakened last, 3rd of 13, 32l behind Schelm (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Cool Operator 4-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Lazy Darren (11-3) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Apr.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Held up, weakened from 12th, 5th of 7, 33l behind Berings Express (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs.
Norborne Bandit (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden, every chance last, stayed on under pressure flat, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Yellow Flag (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Rightful Ruler 16-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden 7th, one pace, 7th of 16, 19l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug.
Sir Monty (USA) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 8th, 9th of 15, 37l behind Chrysander (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gf.
Wise Owl 11-2 (11-8) Mid-division, blundered and dropped rear 8th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 11, 2l behind Levitski (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Overbranch 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, behind from 8th, 6th of 12, 22l behind Orpen Wide (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf.
First Fought (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake 2nd, effort 13th, left 4th last, no impression, 4th of 14, 28l behind Golden Feather (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
