in touch, ridden 7th, soon beaten, pulled up before 8th
tracked leader, led 4th, headed after 6th, led again before 7th, soon headed, led again 9th, ridden and headed after last, weakened flat
led, headed after 3rd, lost place after 6th, no danger after
tracked leader, led after 6th, headed before next, ridden to challenge 9th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 6th, led after 8th, headed next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, mistake 1st, headway and mistake 9th, ridden to lead last, ran on
tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed next, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
With the field here lacking any real strength in depth this should be little more than a match between Happy Hussar and Ungaretti, with preference for the last mentioned of the pair. The 12-year-old Happy Hussar ran better back over hurdles in a handicap at Stratford last time but his better form is over the larger obstacles and preference is for Ungaretti, who disappointed at Worcester on his most recent start but holds solid claims on earlier form and on that form he looks the one to beat. Super Boston has given little sign of encouragement of late, while Fairmorning remains a maiden under both codes and that is unlikely to change here. Island Warrior does at least have winning form although not for three years and recent form suggests that he will not be good enough and a safer bet looks to be Ungaretti, who gets the vote.
Broughton Boy 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nawow (10-13) at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd in May, 11 ran.
Ungaretti (GER) 33-1 (11-12) Led 2nd until approaching 4th, ridden and weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Marathea (10-3) at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (F) gf, 20 ran.
Happy Hussar (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Always behind, 8th of 12, 14l behind Mr Fernet (11-7) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jul.
Island Warrior (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Angie's Double (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd sll hdl (G) gf in Jul, 14 ran.
Fairmorning (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Prominent, keen, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, well behind Court One (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in Jun.
Super Boston 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, pushed along after 4th, soon struggling, 7th of 13, 49l behind Harry Potter (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gf.
In Ainm De (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, 39l behind Angie's Double (10-7) at Southwell 2m 5f nov sll hdl (G) gd in Jul.
