in rear, mistakes 7th, 8th and 9th, ridden to chase leaders, 3 out, lost touch from 2 out
led, ridden and pressed before last, hit final fence, soon headed and left behind by winner, no extra
chased leader, shaken up after 2 out, pressed leader and mistake last, ridden and soon led after final fence, stayed on strongly to draw clear flat, readily
chased leaders throughout, ridden and weakened after 2 out
bad mistake 1st and dropped to rear, reminder after 2nd, closed up, not fluent 4th, outpaced and lost touch from 3 out, tailed off
Lucky Flight is quirky and has had a break since finishing third at Perth in July. Sword Of Fate won at that track last month and a 6lb rise seems fair but Gripper has failed to complete in two runs over the larger obstacles so far. ARMATTIEKAN is back on a winning mark and will almost certainly run his race again so could be the answer to this.
Lucky Flight (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, progress to lead 4 out, headed before 3 out, still close up last, 3rd and no impression towards finish, 3rd of 5, 6 3/4l behind Ming Dynasty (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Sword Of Fate (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leader, led after 3 out, clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Vengeur De Guye (11-11) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Armattiekan (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, led next until 4 out, challenged out wide before 2 out, 3rd and no impression between last 2, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Pens Man (11-7) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Kamil (GER) 22-1 (11-7) Last pair, mistake 8th, never on terms, 5th of 8, 23 1/4l behind The Paddy Pie (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Gripper 9-1 (10-8) Chased winner until 8th, ridden 3 out, 4 1/2 lengths 3rd and looked beaten when fell last, at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Cool Country (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slow and lost place 3rd, ridden and behind 7th, pulled up after 8th, at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
