slowly away, raced keenly in rear, headway 6th, not fluent 10th, went 2nd 2 out, one pace flat
chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, hit 6th, headway after 10th, 6 lengths down when hampered and fell 3 out
chased leaders, disputing 4 lengths 2nd when blundered badly 3 out, not recover
held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, went moderate fifth after 3 out, never dangerous
held up, jumped slowly 4th, weakened before 3 out, no chance when eased flat
held up, dropped rear after 5th, pushed along briefly after 8th, headway 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well
led, clear approaching 4 out, four lengths ahead when blundered badly 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
Nonrunner
Shake the Barley, Ice Bucket and CHEEKY LAD make the shortlist here with the latter the selection. Ice Bucket has a touch of seconditis-very consistent, but he has filled the runner-up spot in each of his last four starts and is taken on as he seems one paced. Cheeky Lad has been going well in hunter chases, winning at Ludlow before being just run out of it here last time. He is in good heart and can go well despite top weight. Shake the Barley has won two of his last three contests, but was a fortunate winner last time, and has been raised 5lbs which seems harsh. Cheeky Lad may be written off by many as his recent form has not come under rules, but with doubts about his rivals for differing reasons, Cheeky Lad can advertise his well being here.
Cheeky Lad 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 5th, soon chasing winner, every chance approaching 2 out, challenged again after last, always held, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Overlut (11-10) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led 2nd, headed 7th, led again 10th, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Eljay's Boy 8-1 (10-13) In touch, hit 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 30l behind Jazz Scene (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Shake The Barley (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Clear in leading pair, headway 10th, tracked leader going well 4 out, led soon after next, hard ridden 2 out, joined and left well clear last, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Brave Jo (11-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Flashy Sir 125-1 (10-8) Raced keenly, led to 7th, close 3rd when fell next, in a race won by Afsoun (11-1) at Warwick 2m noc chs (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Vital Spark 11-4 (11-9) In touch, not fluent 10th, pushed along 4 out, ridden and close 3rd 3 out, beaten when not fluent last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Brave Jo (10-12) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Tubber Gael Holly (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Soon tracked leaders, closer in 3rd approaching straight, on terms 2 out, soon headed, 3rd at last, no extra and ko same pace run-in, 5th of 16, 6l behind Armaramak (11-6) at Roscommon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-109 fm.
No Greater Love (FR) 15-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and struggling after 12th, stayed on one pace from last, hung right, no impression, 6th of 11, 17l behind Dead Or Alive (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
On You Go (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, bumped 4 out, quickly weakened and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May, 15 ran.
