made all, clear until 5th, drew clear again from 4 out, eased towards finish, unchallenged
bad mistake 1st, last until after 4th, went 3rd after 9th, 7 lengths down when fell 4 out
held up, behind 6th, not fluent 8th, stayed on flat, almost got 3rd, no chance
reluctant to line up, tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, hit 4 out and no impression on winner
took keen hold, tracked winner, hit 3rd, not fluent 5th, 4th and struggling after 9th, weakening when hampered 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, 4th and beaten when left 3rd 3 out, soon weakened
West With The Wind was a smart novice last season and has won on the Flat since pulling up in the Arkle at Cheltenham in March. He can't be ignored, despite top weight, but this looks a big ask for Al Qeddaaf, who has disappointed since winning at Newton Abbot in June while fellow novice Rio Gael may also struggle against more experienced rivals. Mibleu and Piment D'Estruval come here off the back of recent wins but both are forced to race from out of the handicap proper, though the former finished well ahead of Grand Lahou at Newton Abbot earlier this month. It's a while since ECHO BOB visited the winner's enclosure but Henry De Bromhead's gelding rarely runs a bad race and his half-length second in a Grade 3 at Roscommon around this time last year looks the best form on offer here - he gets the vote.
West With The Wind 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, lost place when hit 5th, behind from next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Captain Chris (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Echo Bob (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led, pressed from 3 out, still travelling well from before next, strongly pressed from before last, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Bahrain Storm (10-13) at Killarney 2m 1f chs gd in Jul.
Al Qeddaaf (IRE) 10-11fav (11-13) Led, headed 3 out, ridden and every chance run-in, just held close home, 2nd of 3, hd behind Slip (11-1) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gf in Jul.
Rio Gael (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, pushed along and outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Mayberry (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Jul.
Mibleu (FR) 15-2 (10-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, led 10th, clear after 3 out, jumped right 2 out, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf beating Exulto (10-6) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Piment D'estruval (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, closed travelling well from 6th, went 2nd 8th, led and great jump 4 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Schumpters Lad (11-11) by 7l, 6 ran.
Grand Lahou (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Led, ridden between last 2, hard pressed when jumped big last, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Eastlake (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
