tracked leaders, ridden after 13th, mistake next, weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, ridden approaching 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden 11th, weakened quickly, pulled up before 14th
always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden approaching 11th, weakened 12th, tailed off
mid-division, reminders after 7th, driven along from 10th, headway from 12th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, smooth headway after 14th, went 4th and ridden before next, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 12th, went 3rd after 14th, ridden to chase winner next, finished strongly final 100 yards, drifted right, just failed
always well behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 11th, soon ridden, no chance from 12th, went poor 4th 2 out
led until 14th, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd 11th, led 14th, ridden when mistake 2 out, drifted right flat, just held on
From a shortlist of Idian Mix, Present Gale and EXTRA BOLD, we'll side here with the last named. The selection, Richard Lee's only runner on the card, steps up in trip and grade from his success here last time out. He won';t want too much cut in the ground, but does seem to be a progressive type. Present Gale had something in hand when winning last time out in August, over slightly further, and showed good improvement. Further progression could see him land the spoils here. Idian Mix is the only runner not have won over course and or distance. His four successes have all come over a shorter trip. He's had a couple of seconds of late, and come close to winning, and any David Pipe runner on his local track is going to attract some support. We'll side though with Extra Bold.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner from 13th, no impression, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Go West (11-0) at Southwell 3m 2f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Idian Mix (FR) 7-2 (11-12) In touch, struggling and lost place after 8th, headway after next, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on but always held, 2nd of 12, 6l behind My Skipper (10-2) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Aug.
Cobreces 11-4fav (12-2) Chased leader, led 15th, ridden and headed 4 out, led 2 out to approaching last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Shepherds Hut (11-5) at Exeter 3m 1f hts chs (5) sft in Mar.
Fine By Me (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway on inside when not much room on bend after 14th, struggling from 2 out, 4th of 12, 32l behind Surface To Air (11-7) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Alcatras (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Prominent, hit 1st, ridden and lost place 10th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 9, 28l behind Charlies Future (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Present Gale (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Held up, not fluent 6th, headway 12th, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug beating Jim Bobs Girl (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Extra Bold 11-2 (10-11) Jumped well, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 9th, led 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May beating Sea Saffron (11-4) by 17l, 15 ran.
Ibberton 8-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened 11th, 4th of 8, well behind Shannons Boy (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Dere Lyn 33-1 (10-0) Soon in rear and tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Alphabetical (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Gumley Gale 14-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden after 9th, no chance from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Darina's Boy (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Elegant Eskimo 16-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 6th to 9th, hit 11th, led 13th, headed 3 out, weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lucky Luk (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Lucky Luk (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, soon ridden, weakened 14th, 4th of 11, 15l behind Beauchamp Prince (11-6) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
