chased winner until 5th, chased leading pair, slow jump and reminders 6th, weakened before 5 out, pecked 5 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 3 out
chased leading pair, soon lost touch and pulled up before next
held up in rear, headway to dispute 3rd 7th, definite 3rd before next, went 2nd 5 out, ridden and keeping on in 3 lengths 2nd when fell 2 out
took keen hold, made all, 3 lengths ahead and going strongly when left clear 2 out, eased towards finish, unchallenged
held up in last pair, driven along before 5 out, beaten next, left poor 3rd and hampered 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until pushed along 5 out, no chance with leading duo, left poor 2nd last
Nonrunner
SHALAMIYR carries a penalty for his recent win at Southwell but Conor Shoemark's allowance negates most of that. The drop back in trip should be no problem and he's preferred to the progressive Little Jimmy, who landed a hat-trick early in the year. Missionaire ran well for fourth in a novices' handicap last time but Hector's House was beaten a long way despite finishing third at Stratford last month. Le Grand Chene is back on a winning mark though his victory at Uttoxeter in May is beginning to look like a fluke.
Shalamiyr (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Took keen hold early, led 2nd until 9th, led again after 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, clear when not fluent last, driven and stayed on flat, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft beating Jim Job Jones (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up on outside, headway 7th, not fluent and lost place next, not fluent 10th, no impression before 4 out, went 3rd when hitting 2 out, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Numbercruncher (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
Missionaire (USA) 25-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 5th before last, kept on and never dangerous, 4th of 14, 5l behind Pinkneys Prince (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up, took keen hold, not much room 1st, headway next, ridden after 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 8th of 12, 41l behind Schinken Otto (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug '12.
Bobbits Way 7-1 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 3rd, left 4th 6th, mistakes 7th and 9th, went 2nd 3 out (normal 4 out), upsides when not much room, nudged by rival and took wrong course just after omitted next fence, in a race won by Croco Mister (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 6 ran.
Hector's House 13-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 6th, outpaced after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 37l behind Brass Monkey (11-5) at Stratford 2m 6f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Oct.
Little Jimmy 11-8fav (10-8) Raced keenly, tracked leading pair, ridden before 3 out, held when left 2nd next, one pace and no impression before last, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Miss Tenacious (11-10) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
