held up in rear, headway approaching 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
made most until after 9th, weakened 11th tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, not fluent 10th, pushed along 4 out, ridden and close 3rd 3 out, beaten when not fluent last
prominent, not fluent 4th, shaken up 6th, lost place approaching 10th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, went close 2nd 11th, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, stayed on
pressed leader, not fluent 3rd, led after 9th, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, stayed to challenging, stayed on under strong pressure to regain lead flat, driven out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, behind when hit 9th, no chance when hit 12th, held up and pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Vital Spark can land the opener as he bids for his hat-trick with both Ballybough Jack and Rookery Lad worth noting. The selection has landed handicap wins at both Market Rasen and more recently over course and distance. During this period he has been raised twenty pounds by the handicapper which does seem a little radical but he is still only relatively lightly raced and still looks on the up grade. If he is able to recapture his latest form and shrug of the burden of an extra nine pounds to carry then he has every chance of another success. Ballybough Jack carries a seven pound penalty for his recent win over course and distance. He had previous success at Uttoxeter and was only narrowly beaten at that track thereafter so comes into this race in fine form. He has also shot up in the weights as a result of his success and with twelve stone five to carry here and giving weight all round life will not be easy. Rookery Lad caught the eye when second to Apollo Creed at Bangor. That was a much improved effort and if reproducing that effort he would have to be respected, but for the winner we return to Vital Spark.
Ballybough Jack (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up, hit 11th, headway approaching 4 out, challenged 2 out, led just before last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd beating Insignia (11-4) by 6l, 7 ran.
Silver Dollars (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 9l behind Nelson's Spice (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jul.
Vital Spark 4-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, led approaching 10th, ridden clear approaching 3 out, won at Southwell 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul beating Tipp Top (10-1) by 11l, 15 ran.
South Bronx (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 27l behind Moor Spirit (10-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
Lace Your Boots (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, reminders after 8th, soon struggling, 5th of 8, well behind William Butler (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Brave Jo (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Led, soon under pressure from 3 out, headed next, no extra, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Nelson's Spice (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jul.
Mr Twins (ARG) 7-1 (10-10) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind New Wish (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd.
Rookery Lad 11-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, led 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Apollo Creed (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Golly (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, mistake 11th, steady progress from 14th, went 4th after 15, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 18l behind Deltic Arrow (10-0) at N Abbot 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gd.
