chased leader, ridden 13th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 12th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, headway 10th, challenged on bit 3 out, led 2 out, shaken up and ran on flat
held up last, headway from 12th, challenging when pecked 3 out, weakened after
soon led, headed 7th, weakened 11th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, chased leader 7th, led 8th, ridden 4 out, soon headed and weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, mistake 8th, ridden 11th, weakened 13th
towards rear, headway from 10th, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon headed, not pace of winner
held up last, not fluent, hit 11th, well behind when pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, mistake 2nd and lost place, weakened 13th, behind 4 out
mid-division, mistake and reminder 7th, weakened 10th, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, headway and led 7th to 8th, blundered 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up after
The Venetian has a lot of weight to carry and it may pay to side with course and distance winner ALCATRAS ahead of the frustrating Iris's Prince. The last-named must be on any shortlist having won ten point-to-points in a row prior to his latest run at Fontwell. There doesn't appear to be much wrong with his attitude, but we will take a punt on Alcatras. A winner of five chases, he is now back to his highest winning mark of 99 today. Jockey Owyn Nelmes knows him well and he gets the vote. The Venetian was very impressive when winning at Chepstow recently but it may be a tough task to carry such a big weight to victory were further rain to fall. Meggie's Beau returns from a break and should not be underestimated with the stable in form, Classic Clover and Wizard Of Edge are both consistent, whilst Flighty Command found very little for pressure when well fancied on his latest start. A trappy race, but it's hard to get away from Alcatras.
The Venetian (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Led after 1st, made rest, left clear 4 out, won at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Notabotheronme (11-2) by 20l, 12 ran.
Meggie's Beau (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, led 12th, weakening when headed approaching 2 out, 3rd of 17, 16l behind Top Dawn (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Flight Command 11-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind High Oscar (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Not always fluent, hit 4th, always in rear, 10th of 13, 43l behind Oracle des Mottes (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Alcatras (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 11th, weakened 12th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Lucky Luk (10-10) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Celtic Son (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader pair to 8th, ridden and outpaced after 13th, beaten when blundered 4 out, tailed out, 4th of 6, well behind Earcomesannie (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Walton Way 18-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, hit 8th, pushed along after 9th, behind from 12th, no chance when blundered 3 out, 9th of 13, 41l behind Randolph O'Brien (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Iris's Prince 2-1fav (10-1) Held up, hit 2nd, headway after 10th to join leaders next, ridden to take narrow advantage 2 out, not fluent last, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Nagam (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Classic Clover 7-2 (11-12) In touch, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, reminders, ridden 14th, weakened next, 4th of 10, 37l behind Fourpointone (10-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Wizard of Edge 6-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 14th, weakened 16th, 5th of 9, 29l behind Colorado Pearl (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Primrose Park 33-1 (10-9) Jumped badly right 1st, jumped badly right and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Tradingup (10-3) at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Led after 1st, headed 4th, ridden 12th, jumped slowly and mistake 13th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, 16l behind Young Lorcan (10-6) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Aug.
