disputed lead, led 8th to 9th, led again narrowly 11th, ridden and narrow advantage when left 2 length clear 3 out, headed before next, soon beaten, lost 2nd flat
held up in rear, headway to track leading pair 5 out, left 2 lengths 2nd when hampered 3 out, led before next, about 12 lengths clear last, eased right down flat
tracked leading pair to 11th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up
held up in 4th, mistake 3rd, tracked leading pair 11th, hit next, ridden and outpaced when lost place 5 out, left about 12 lengths 3rd 3 out, stayed on well to chase winner flat
made most until mistake and headed 8th (water), led again next to 11th, ridden 4 out, upsides when fell next
Nonrunner
Caution is usually the best advice in these races but BREAKING SILENCE and Ossmoses hold a class advantage and may dominate the finish, with preference for the former whose fitness is assured. Jonjo O'Neill's runner is rated 126, marking him out as an above average performer in this sphere. He has plenty of form in victory and in defeat to make him very hard to beat here so despite the fact he was held last time - an effort which should've helped blow away cobwebs - the nine-year-old gets our vote from the returning Ossmoses. The 13-year-old relishes a test of stamina having been placed in the Midlands National and all ground seemingly comes alike, so as he comes out best at the weights a big run would look assured were this not his first since 2008. As it is, the market will tell us more as to his chance. On paper the rest look up against it, but Va Vavoom actually finished a place ahead of our pick last time so clearly merits respect. That was his first run for three seasons so the 'bounce' factor must be considered and either way our selection would only need to jump better to reverse that form. Palmers Peak has an 8 month break to overcome and has form that rates below the standard of the principles so is opposable with Nocatee who might want better ground, whilst Super Lord hasn't troubled the judge since 2007 and can't be backed with any level of confidence. If Breaking Silence jumps better he should take this race with the minimum of fuss.
Palmers Peak (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 4 out, headed approaching next, left 2nd and badly hampered 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Marufo (11-9) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Breaking Silence (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 13th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out until last, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Accumulus (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft.
Loch Vic (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, pushed along and weakened from 13th, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec '08, 12 ran.
Ossmoses (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, weakened 23rd, 15th of 24, well behind Iris De Balme (9-7) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '08.
Super Lord (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Ap; stayed on to ld cl home, won at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp beating Point Proven (12-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Nocatee (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Take The Stand (12-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf in Jun.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, led and pecked 2nd, soon headed, in touch, led 12th, mistake 3 out, headed flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Accumulus (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft.
