held up, headway after 8th, hit 3 out, led going well 2 out, headed last, found little
held up, headway 6th, went 2nd next, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, outpaced and lost place after 8th, rallied after 3 out, led last, stayed on well
not fluent, held up, headway after 3rd, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
tendency to jump slowly, chased leaders, already weakened and last when mistake 3 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard, led until after 3 out, weakened quickly, no chance when fell last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, close up 2 out, hung right and weakened approaching last
chased leader until 7th, weakened after 8, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Smart Tiger gets the vote in this seller with School Class and Stack The Pack rating the main dangers. The selection won well in similar grade last time out when beating Mapilout De Moulin, he again has conditions to suit and need only run up to that mark to score. School Class rates the main danger on his best form but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and he is taken on with this in mind. Stack The Pack has had his jumping problems over fences but returns to hurdles in a lowly grade and he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Menelaus is unexposed compared to some of these rivals and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Smart Tiger who has plenty of ticks in the right boxes.
Smart Tiger (GER) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, coaxed along after 7th, joined leader 2 out, ran on well to lead near finish, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov sll hdl (5) frm beating Mapilut du Moulin (10-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Grousemount (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Behind, kept on without threatening from 4 out, 8th of 18, well behind Cyrils Top Girl (10-6) at Thurles 2m 2f hacp hdl hvy in Mar.
Menelaus 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 6, 11l behind Smart Tiger (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov sll hdl (5) frm.
Pearcecroft (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Jumped right 2nd, behind, tailed off 4th, pulled up before 6th pulled up at the 6th in race won by Learning The Blues (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar, 11 ran.
Stack The Pack (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, blundered 14th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Cristophe (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Aug, 11 ran.
Thinking Double 80-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, not fluent 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Needle Prick (11-2) at Worcester 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
School Class 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 20l behind Ricardo's Chance (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Ashford Common Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden when hit 9th, taking closer order when fell 12th in race won by Malmo Boy (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
