mid-division on outside, blundered and lost place 10th, behind when pulled up before 12th
in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened next
made virtualy all, jumped left from 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
mid-division, mistake 10th, headway and in touch 12th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge last, edged right and no impression flat
held up behind on outside, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, soon no impression, lost 3rd flat
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair
behind, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
in touch on inside, lost place 6th, behind when mistake 10th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 12th, soon lost place, behind when slightly hampered 3 out
tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, 5th and under pressure when fell next
led briefly 2nd, with winner, not fluent and reminder 7th, lost place 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, lost place 12th, no impression from 3 out
mid-divison on inside, lost place 4 out, behind when hampered next, soon weakened
Few of these are ruled out with any degree of confidence but SOUND STAGE and Midnight Chase appear to have relatively solid chances whilst Arturo Uno completes the short-list. The suggestion is Caroline Keevil's course and distance winner who hasn't been harshly treated by the handicapper for a game win at Newbury. The primary concern is the ground as he was well held on his only run without soft in the description but we'll take that chance. Drying conditions could also be a concern for Midnight Chase whose third behind Hey Big Spender over course and distance reads well enough in the context of this race and he is still fairly treated. Arturo Uno has less experience than that pair but he has shown promise in similar contests and could be on the upgrade which is a remark that applies to King Harald's half-brother Vamizi who is another that has to prove his effectiveness under these conditions. There are plenty more in the line-up with live claims but we've opted for Sound Stage.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Meanus Dandy (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Bormo (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) In touch in rear, mistakes 6th and 10th, chased leader 4 out, led next, ridden clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Royal Wedding (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Midnight Chase 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure last, held on well towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Mar beating Amore Mio (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Sound Stage 5-4fav (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs in Mar beating Buffalo Bob (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Wheels Up (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Raced wide, always last, struggling from 4 out, last of 4, 9l behind Herons Well (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Description (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, no impression until stayed on strongly flat, went 3rd near finish, not reached leaders, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Award Winner (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Lordsbridge (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Held in 4th, not fluent early, pecked 6th, went 3rd 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Vodka Brook (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, jumped left throughout, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, every chance when mistake next, ran on under pressure to lead close home, won at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Jigsaw Dancer (11-11) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Hereweareagain (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Soon in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, stayed on well approaching last, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Royal Kicks (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Vamizi (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Made virtually all, hit 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar beating Sir Winston (10-11) by 8l, 9 ran.
Cesium (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Raced wide, made virtualy all, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar beating Prince Des Marais (11-7) by 5l, 6 ran.
Arturo Uno (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, chased winner 14th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on under pressure to challenge flat, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Den of Iniquity (11-12) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Marc of Brilliance (USA) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, effort 13th, chased winner 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Power Shared (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
