held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, 3 lengths down when mistake last, one pace flat
prominent, led 4th, soon given reminders and headed, hit 6th, weakened 8th, well behind 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
held up, headway 10th, led just after 4 out, ridden out
raced wide, took keen hold tracking leaders, not fluent 8th or 9th, ridden before 10th, weakened 12th
in touch, lost place 6th, behind 7th, tailed off when mistake 10th, pulled up after 2 out
in rear, behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
held up in touch, mistake 6th, reminders 7th, jumped left 11th, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led 2nd, headed 4th, soon led again, rider lost iron briefly 12th, headed soon after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Manx Royal gets the vote over After Eight, The Sneakster, and Well Actually. This is a poor beginners' chase, with nothing having outstanding claims, and the fact that Manx Royal has fallen on two of his six outings over fences to date makes him no good thing. However, it can be argued that he was in close contention on both occasions when hitting the deck, and this drop in grade will help his cause. He has no problems handling fast ground, and the overall level of his form makes David Pipe's charge the one to beat. After Eight has raced on top of the ground only once, at Cheltenham four years ago, and since moving to Venetia Williams, has gained just one victory over hurdles. That was here at Towcester though, and he is sure to have been thoroughly schooled over the bigger obstacles at home. The Sneakster is still a maiden and did not shape particularly well on his chase debut at Ludlow the time before last, while Well Actually has only had four career starts and is best watched. He is sure to be well placed in time, but for now it is best to rely on Manx Royal.
Drat 33-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, jumped slowly and behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Cetti's Warbler (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Gemini Storm 66-1 (11-3) In rear, mistake 1st, ridden 14th, never a factor, 5th of 9, 23l behind Hibernian (11-3) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Jolly Joe (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Led, mistake 4th, headed 6th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Knife Edge (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Manx Royal (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Led, jumped right 1st, headed 3rd, chased leader after, close 2nd when fell at the 8th in race won by Marrel (10-9) at Stratford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Jul, 6 ran.
Nautic (FR) 22-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, mistake 9th, weakened after 11th, 10th of 16, 46l behind Mighty Moose (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Tails I Win 66-1 (11-3) Always in rear, 8th of 9, well behind Hibernian (11-3) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Victor Victorious (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th 5 out, moderate 5th before 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, well behind Romek (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs sft in Nov.
Well Actually (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leader, jumped left 2nd, lost second 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 36l behind Back On Line (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
The Sneakster (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 16l behind Ouh Jay (10-11) at Ludlow 3m mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
After Eight (GER) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden to go 2nd after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Just Beth (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Dec.
Mr Parson (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division, blundered badly 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Broken Reed (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr, 9 ran.
