tracked front pair, went 2nd at 12th, ridden before last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner from last
led, ridden and headed before last, weakened into 3rd flat
held up, in touch, reminders after 13th, soon struggling, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
tracked leader to 12th, outpaced by front pair before 4 out, rallied to lead before last, clear flat, kept on well
Victor Leudorum dotted up over hurdles here last week but is rated 13lb higher over fences and his record over the larger obstacles is patchy to say the least. Billy Two Tongues was well beaten off his new mark at Uttoxeter while Velator blotted his copy book when pulled up at Newton Abbot and hasn't won in almost two years. STANDING OVATION has had his ups and downs since winning a Listed handicap at Newton Abbot a year ago but is now 5lb lower and perfectly capable of defying a big weight in a race like this.
Standing Ovation (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) In touch, not much room and lost place after 3rd, towards rear when not fluent 5th, reminders before 9th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Velator 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 3 out, soon lost place and pulled up, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Billy Two Tongues 4-1jfav (11-12) Led or disputed lead, not fluent and headed 3 out, mistake and no impression on winner next, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Schindler's Prince (10-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Victor Leudorum (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-4) Led 2nd, headed 4th, led next, drew clear after 2 out, easily, won at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Exemplary (11-6) by 23l, 9 ran.
