slight lead until fell 1st
left chasing leaders 1st, 2nd 10th, led 4 out, pushed along and joined 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
hampered 1st, chased leaders, went left next, jumped slowly 13th, 2nd going well 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, ridden and edged left run-in, stayed on well
wandered into 1st and left 2nd, jumped slowly next, lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders, every chance when blundered 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden between last 2, plugged on into modest 3rd last stride
hampered 1st, held up in touch in rear, pushed along after 13th, behind after, mistake 16th, struggling and no chance when blundered 3 out, tailed off
prominent, left in lead 1st, headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
took keen hold, left in 3rd place 1st, hit 15th, pushed along before 2 out, held when blundered last, lost modest 3rd last stride
chasing leaders when badly hampered and unseated rider 1st
chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 1st
Nothing can be excluded with confidence in such a competitive affair in which BEWARE THE BEAR is taken to follow up a most stylish victory at Southwell in late May. The form looked nothing special at the time but the runner-up, Red Infantry, has proved that not to be the case at all and the selection now looks on an attractive mark under Jeremiah McGrath who has partnered him to his last two successes. Expedite looks nicely-weighted here too and rates a major threat off the bottom perch, whilst Aurillac posted a fine reappearance when only just held by Definite Outcome in a classy Chepstow novice chase. It would be no surprise were Singlefarmpayment, Potters Corner or Royal Milan to get involved too.
Dueling Banjos 4-1 (12-0) With leader, keen, mistake 2nd, under pressure when jumped left 2 out, soon wekened, modest 3rd, 3rd of 6, 37l behind Bigbadjohn (11-0) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Apr.
Singlefarmpayment 3-1 (11-8) In rear, headway before 4 out, challenged 3 out, every chance last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Fayette County (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Beware The Bear (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 8th, led after 3 out, drew clear on bit from next, unchallenged, won at Southwell 3m (4) gd in May beating Red Infantry (10-13) by 8l, 5 ran.
Aurillac (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, slow 1st, jumped right 4th, mistake 12th, driven to challenge 2 out, stayed on strongly closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 5, nk behind Definite Outcome (11-0) at Chepstow 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Forthefunofit (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up behind, struggling 11th, never a threat, 9th of 12, 23 3/4l behind Gurkha Brave (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Dawson City 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 9th, outpaced before 7 out, rallied from 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Beeves (11-11) at Warwick 3m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Potters Corner (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led, headed when mistake 5 out, every chance 3 out, led again next, headed after last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Definite Outcome (11-0) at Chepstow 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Milan (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 2nd (usual 5th), headed 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, left 3rd at last, no chance with front pair flat, 3rd of 7, 14 1/4l behind Young Dillon (11-8) at Wetherby 3m (4) gd in May.
Expedite (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) With leader, led before 3 out, soon clear, carried head a little high and edged left after last, rider lost reins, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Bendomingo (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
