tracked leaders, outpaced 14th, weakened from 17th
made most until headed 13th, tracked winner until mistake 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden after last, kept on, held towards finish
with leader, led 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, driven out
Nonrunner
Most of these want soft ground to be seen at their best and therefore we will nominate FOURPOINTONE to score while Romantic Bridge might be capable of going very close. The Michael Scudamore-trained selection has a couple of things going for him. He stays very well and has won twice over course and distance, he acts on fast ground as evidenced when winning at Taunton, and he is just 4lbs higher than his last winning mark. That is enough for us to give him the nod. Romantic Bridge also stays well and acts on a sound surface, although he has yet to race when the ground is this quick. A 3lb drop in the weights will not hurt for this chasing debut and with his useful claimer up he is not out of this. Havenstone has had jumping issues in two previous tries over fences, but with a clear round he would look well handicapped here if handling conditions. Lavenoak Lad definitely wants a drop of rain but there was nothing wrong with his Worcester win last time, while Classic Clover likes it here but also acts better when the ground is good or slower. Stoneriggs Merc is another in that category but if he did handle the going then he is back to a very handy mark. Fourpointone is the selection here.
Havenstone (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 8th, 2nd after 3 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 6l behind Willies Way (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Fourpointone 9-2fav (10-13) Led until 3rd, prominent, ridden approaching 9th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Orion Express (11-3) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Thenameescapesme (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gf, 13 ran.
Classic Clover 7-2fav (10-6) Made most, hit 16th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Kells Castle (11-11) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Romantic Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Dunaskin (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Aug.
Lavenoak Lad 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 10th, soon outpaced and lost place last after 14th, rallied 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led flat, driven clear, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jun beating Ossmann (11-8) by 6l, 7 ran.
