tracked leader until 4th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led before next, clear approaching 2 out, mistake last, eased towards finish
took keen hold, led until before 5th, no impression on winner approaching 2 out, weakened and demoted to 4th last
held up in rear, went 4th approaching 5th, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd last, no impression
held up in 4th until before 5th, weakened 3 out
pulled hard in rear, behind 5th, tailed off
Tim Vaughan has his string in good heart at present so Khorun has to be respected on his first outing for new connections, especially as his new trainer does well with former handler's runners. Charlie Pogson's King's Lion has been well held in two starts in bumpers so far but had shown some promise between the flags so may do better under rules now switched to hurdles. Don McCain's Morning Sunshine has failed to take to fences in recent starts and may do better now switched to hurdles but it is hard to get away from DEREKS. The eight-year-old has shown much improved form in recent starts, winning his last two starts here and at Newton Abbot, and he can win again and complete the hat-trick.
Dereks (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Made all, driven approaching 2 out, ridden clear when edged left between last 2, ran on flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Saltagioo (11-13) by 5l, 8 ran.
Khorun (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 6th 4 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, kept on one paced, 4th of 23, 10l behind Nodouraboura (11-12) at Cork 3m mdn hdl gf in Jul.
King's Lion (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 14, 22l behind Cock Of The Rock (11-3) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Morning Sunshine (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up in rear and keen, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 22l behind Kirkhammerton (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Youandme (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to when fell 14, in a race won by Beau Troubadour (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee Points 3m ptp gd in May, 11 ran.
Winter Holly 16-1 (10-7) Led and keen, soon clear until 7th, headed after 3 out, quickly weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Redunderthebed (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jul, 9 ran.