made all, went clear on bit after 4 out, easily
held up when fell 7th
chased winner, ridden and got through at 9th, no chance from 4 out
held up, jumped slowly and went left from 6th, headway from 9th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, jumped badly left from 3 out
in touch, pecked 9th, ridden mistaken, weakened 4 out
Nonrunner
There's always a concern that this may come too soon on LORIENT EXPRESS' timetable since returning from a long absence but we'll certainly be on board. Of the remainder, Quillan Hill may provide a more interesting alternative to Classic Role and Amble Forge. Lorient Express was a useful sort on his day but had been lightly raced of late and was without a win since 2006. It was a fine bit of training to bring him back in peak condition for his return at Ludlow and this is a suitable platform for the course and distance winner to further showcase his talents. Classic Role is also penalised and did the job well enough at Newbury but his career record isn't convincing enough for us to want to give him the benefit of the doubt just yet despite the fact that he has the ability to achieve further success. Amble Forge has been well placed by the Tizzards and could have a little more in the locker whilst Quillan Hill is a potential blot having been asked to make his chase bow in an Ascot handicap where he failed to get beyond the second. Pauntley Gofa's last two wins came here but there's little to commend him on recent form whilst Roofing Spirit will need the cheekpieces to have the desired effect if he's to get the better of our selection, Lorient Express.
Lorient Express (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Made all, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs beating Picot de Say (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Classic Role 9-1 (11-12) Held up, raced keenly, headway 6th, switched left and challenged 4 out, led flat, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Russian Flag (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up, hit 6th, some progress 8th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, last of 5, well behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Amble Forge (IRE) 8-15fav (12-0) Held up in 4th, stumbled 2nd, slow jump 6th, hit 3 out, ridden and beaten next, 4th of 5, 8l behind The Hardy Boy (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Pauntley Gofa 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 9, 20l behind More Like It (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs (4) gs.
Quillan Hill 12-1 (11-9) Chasing leaders when mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Baseball Ted (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs, 13 ran.
