with leader, led after 5 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon left back in lead, driven out
led, headed after 5 out, weakened before 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, no impression
towards rear, headway 10th, led and going very well when fell 2 out
in touch in 4th, weakened from 10th, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened from 10th, tailed off
behind and mistakes, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders in 3rd, reminders after 9th, soon lost place, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 9th, every chance 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, kept on and held towards finish
Orange Nassau has gone up 12lb since winning easily at Newton Abbot but at least arrives in form, unlike the largely disappointing Polarbrook. Baltic Pathfinder gradually seems to be getting his act together again and Boris The Blade is 2lb lower than when second over course and distance in April, though hasn't been seen since. The latter holds Beau Dandy on their run together at Newcastle just under a year ago however. PALOS CONTI was very well backed at Perth in September but weakened on the turn for home after making mistakes. He's obviously better than that and is given another a chance to recoup losses.
Orange Nassau (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Made all, pushed along and clear after 4 out, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Oct beating Jayandbee (11-12) by 12l, 7 ran.
Palos Conti (FR) 5-2fav (10-8) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, not fluent 10th, headway before 12th, mistake next, mistake and weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 40l behind Raajih (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sep.
Polarbrook (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Always in rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, 45l behind Rudemeister (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Acrai Rua (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In touch, dropped towards rear 9th, lost touch 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Satou (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Mannered 11-1 (11-2) Towards rear, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 10, well behind Whiskey Ridge (9-13) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure, never reached winner, 2nd of 7, nk behind Pyjama Game (11-10) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Boris The Blade 25-1 (10-8) With leaders, led 5th, headed 6th, led again before 9th, headed before 4 out, jumped left next 3 fences, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Blazing Bull (10-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Beau Dandy (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Led, blundered and headed 5th, led again 8th, blundered and headed 15th, behind when mistake 18th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Flying Award (11-1) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
