tracked leaders, closed 6th, blundered next, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out
pressed leader, led 6th, not fluent next, jumped right 4 out and 3 out, went clear before next, comfortably
led until 6th, hit 8th, 3rd and beaten 4 out, weakened before next
behind from 5th, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, closed before 6th, soon ridden along, outpaced from 8th, went well 3 out, well held 2 out
Nonrunner
Claret Cloak was engaged to run yesterday at Exeter so must be a doubtful runner here, though is three from three on good ground. BALDER SUCCES won on his chasing debut at Chepstow and was in front and travelling strongly when falling two out at Cheltenham subsequently. Suited by small fields, he can gain compensation here with a clear round as baby Mix hasn't raced since finishing second at Newton Abbot in June and the Flat-bred Buthelezi tackles fences for the first time, though was a decent sort over hurdles. Roc D'apsis was also useful over the smaller obstacles and gets all the allowances but Rebel High is probably out of his depth.
Baby Mix (FR) 5-4 (11-4) With leader, led 4th, headed before 5th, tracked leader, joined winner from 9th, challenged when blundered badly 2 out, one pace after, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Changing The Guard (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jun.
Balder Succes (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Prominent behind clear leader, closed to lead 6th, jumped right and hit 4 out, 4 lengths clear when fell 2 out, in a race won by Dark Lover (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gs in Oct, 6 ran.
Buthelezi (USA) 16-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 8th, led next, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, 17th of 21, well behind Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Rebel High (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, hit 8th, ridden 4 out, one pace before 2 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Moscow Mule (10-2) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Roc D'Apsis (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on and always held from last, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Masters Blazing (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Claret Cloak (IRE) 1-3fav (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, won at Towcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Oct beating Dont Take Me Alive (10-7) by 14l, 7 ran.
