mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and no impression from next
jumped well, led, ridden last, headed and no extra flat
tracked leader, driven and outpaced after 4 out, 5 length 2nd when blundered and lost place next, no impression after
close up on outside, hit 15th, soon outpaced, beaten when not fluent last
chased leaders, lost place 15th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, mistake 7th and 14th, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead flat
chased leaders, lost place 9th, hampered 12th, behind from 4 out
mid-division, headway 11th, 4th when fell next
soon pushed along in rear, lost touch halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
Benrajah can come out on top in what could be a close-knit affair, with World Vision, Shannon's Pride and Virgin Soldier others with claims. The latter has to give weight away to the rest but will come on for his return to action here in December when third to Robbo. That first outing since September will have blown the cobwebs away, and he is expected to go well on ground that suits. However, we prefer the claims of Benrajah, successful over the course and distance in 2003, and who has taken on good company since. He is on a high enough mark at present and is well exposed, but ran another fine race in defeat when third at Ludlow last time. Sure to be in the shake-up, he gets the vote. World Vision ran his best race since returning from a summer break when chasing home Snowy at Musselburgh before Christmas and it will not be long before he adds to Ferdy Murphy's tally. Richard Guest won this 12 months ago with Time To Reflect and now saddles Shannon's Pride, third in the Grand Sefton at Aintree in November, so we know he can jump. He got bogged down in the heavy ground at Wetherby last time and is another that can make his presence felt. In an open race, we take Benrajah to gain a second course win.
Virgin Soldier (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, chased leaders 4 out, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Robbo (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Benrajah (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Ede'iff (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden and lost place from 5 out, 4th of 6, well behind Silver Knight (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy in Dec.
Cill Churnain (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, mistakes, outpaced 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Edmo Yewkay (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
World Vision (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, challenged winner from 5 out, no extra approaching last, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Snowy (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Dec.
Prince of Slane 5-1 (10-5) unseated rider in race won by Robbo (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Dumadic 9-4 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, 4th when lost action and pulled up at the last in race won by Diamond Cottage (10-8) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Gangsters R Us (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 12th, lost touch approaching 4 out, last of 6, well behind Bohemian Spirit (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
