mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent and went 2nd next, led 6th until 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 5th, weakened 3 out
led until 6th, led 3 out until headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
pulled hard in rear, hit 5th, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader until 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, went left last, ran on well
prominent, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, weakened 3 out
LEULAHLEULAHLAY looks nicely handicapped and he might be worth chancing. Isabel Tompsett takes the mount on Evan Williams' gelding and considering he is rated 68 on the flat, he might be able to take advantage of this mark of 93 over hurdles. Although yet to win in 12 starts, he should run well at rewarding odds. Top-weight Henry Hook is in better form and after a solid Exeter third he commands respect, a comment that also applies to Chalice Welcome who has some solid Fakenham form to his name. The handicapper is not giving too much rope to Monsieur, whilst Kyoto is quicker to come down the handicap and is not discounted despite his jockey having a first ride in public. Ruby Valentine and the enigmatic Monfils Monfils are others to consider in an open finale.
Henry Hook (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, pushed along after 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Miss Saffron (10-13) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Leulahleulahlay 7-2 (11-8) Behind, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, plugged on from next, just failed for 3rd, no chance with leaders, 4th of 11, 24l behind Musashi (11-2) at Plumpton 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
Chalice Welcome 7-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, hampered by winner jumping right at 2nd and unseated rider, in a race won by Moonstreaker (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May, 6 ran.
Monsieur (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Led, took keen hold, ridden and headed after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Louis Ludwig (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Art Value 100-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no impression, 7th of 15, 19l behind Skye But N Ben (11-8) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Kyoto (GER) 11-4fav (11-2) Chased clear leaders, close enough 2 out, soon beaten, very tired jumping last, 5th of 7, 32l behind Quam Celerrime (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, chased winner after 7th, no impression flat, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Strumble Head (10-13) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Aug.
Lean Burn (USA) 5-1 (10-0) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Nothing Is Forever (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, lost place when mistake and reminder 4th, behind when hit 6th, 9th of 13, 32l behind Stafford Charlie (9-12) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
