chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, in 4th when blundered 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, outpaced 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, driven along 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, hit 6th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from last
held up, hit 3rd, outpaced 7th
chased leaders, led 5 out, not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner
held up, staying on in 4th but always held and unseated rider last
held up, headway to chase leader approaching 3 out, led approaching last, comfortably
Nonrunner
The Bobby Renton can once again go to Mandingo Chief ahead of Arctic Ghost, Tighe Caster and Scots Grey. Mandingo Chief, successful in this contest 12-months ago, ran his best race for some time when second to Pigeon Island over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month, and will hopefully go one better here. Brendan Powell's charge looked as though he was going to collect at the Midlands track, but was collared on the run-in, and although now 8lb higher than last year for this switch back to fences, he is strongly fancied to take the prize again. Arctic Ghost was a progressive novice, and off 10st can be expected to show up well, but he has been off since winning here in April. Tighe Caster let his supporters down when fancied at Fontwell, and Aintree Foxhunters' hero Scots Grey will find this too short on his return. The veteran can continue to pay his way later in the season, but for now, Mandingo Chief is the one to be on.
Scots Grey 13-2 (11-11) Held up, pushed along approaching 4th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 11, 32l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Silver Knight 22-1 (10-10) In touch, weakening when blundered 12th, 10th of 18, well behind Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 10th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Iron Man (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Sept, 16 ran.
Possextown (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 8th of 11, well behind Irish Raptor (10-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Tighe Caster 5-2fav (11-12) Mid-divison, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Free Gift (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Dumadic 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 11th, left in lead 12th, headed after 4 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 6th of 13, 26l behind Silver Sedge (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 22-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ed after 6th, clear approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Pigeon Island (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sept.
Snowy (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden 14th, weakening when blundered 3 out, 5th of 16, 21l behind Tamarinbleu (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jun.
Manbow (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Behind when fell at the 12th in race won by I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Arctic Ghost 2-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 3rd, headed 7th, with leader when left in front 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Apr beating Duke Orsino (11-2) by 4l, 4 ran.
