held up, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on, never troubled leaders
held up, jumped slowly 6th, never on terms
led until after 9th, remained prominent, hit 14th, mistake 16th, ridden and left in lead 3 out, headed and no extra flat
held up mid-division, progress to chase leaders from 13th, left in 2nd 3 out, stayed on to lead inside closing stages, readily
tracked leaders, lost place after 11th, soon beaten
mistake 1st, in touch, led after 9th, mistake and unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 9th, pulled up before 13th
always behind
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 12th, pulled up before 14th
Nonrunner
Tipsy Mouse has to be of interest despite the burden of top weight but the lack of a recent run for Richard Guest's gelding is of concern and a chance is taken with High Gear, who is preferred to Waterberg. The selection certainly has his quirks but ran with promise until throwing away his chance at Newton Abbot last time when seemingly stopping once hitting the front. Noel Fehily who takes the ride today will be well aware of his mount's awkward tendencies and is taken cajole a win from him. Sue Smith's Aegean has been off the track since May 2003 and is probably best watched today, while Hehasalife has given little cause for optimism in two starts this term. Bang And Blame is an interesting contender from Mick Easterby's stable but of more interest may be Henry Daly's Waterberg, who does not win very often but has slipped to an attractive mark. The vote then goes to High Gear, who is not the most straightforward of characters but he may be good enough to win this.
Tipsy Mouse (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led, ridden 13th, headed 18th and weakened, 4th of 11, 18l behind Gallik Dawn (10-2) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Waterberg (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) In rear and mistakes, never dangerous, 6th of 9, well behind Ross Comm (10-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf.
High Gear (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 11th, pressing leaders when blundered 3 out , rallied after 2 out, left in lead last, reluctant and weakened, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Uncle Mick (11-12) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (F) gf.
Iron Express 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 8th, weakened 12th, 7th of 13, 41l behind Carnacrack (10-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jul.
Hehasalife (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Started slowly, soon mid-division, lost place after 9th, headway 13th, weakened next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Parisian Storm (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd, 8 ran.
Bang And Blame (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Prominent, joined winner 11th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bushido (11-0) at Southwell 3m 2f nov chs (D) gf, 8 ran.
Lost In Normandy (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Jumped right, with leader, led 5th, clear 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, nk behind The Merry Mason (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Idealko (FR) 25-1 (10-1) In rear and mistakes, ridden halfway, soon no extra, 4th of 9, 12l behind Ross Comm (10-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf.
