disputed lead with winner until slithered on landing 5 out and dropped to rear, rallied approaching 2 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on one pace
disputed lead until left in lead 5 out, pushed out, readily
close up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, soon lost 2nd, pecked on landing at last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, left 2nd 5 out, pushed along 3 out, weakened next
NonRunner
Cracking Smart was a high-class hurdler when trained by Gordon Elliott but has shown very little for current connections. Decoration Of War won twice over hurdles last summer but hasn’t raced October and is making his debut over fences. COULD BE TROUBLE was pulled up on her chasing bow but fared much better last time at Warwick when beating a good yardstick and she will give the penalised hat-trick seeker Mortlach plenty to think about.
Could Be Trouble (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) In touch, jumped right and bumped 1st, soon towards rear, last when mistake 5th, headway 10th, outpaced 12th, rallied before 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on flat, won at Warwick 2m 4f (3) gd in May beating Fortunes Melody (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Mortlach 4-6fav (12-0) Led until after 1st, led next, clear after 2 out, heavily eased flat, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in May beating Morgenstern (12-0) by 9l, 4 ran.
Decoration Of War (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division, struggling over 3f out, 13th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Owen Little (8-5) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 11-1 (12-2) Prominent, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Marajman (11-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Cracking Smart (FR) 12-1 (12-2) Held up, not fluent throughout, pushed along and struggling from 7 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind French Paradoxe (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
