close up, led 5th, left 6 lengths clear when not fluent 3 out, still clear when hit last, weakened flat, all out
in touch until pulled up and dismounted before 7th, lame
chased leaders, driven along in 4th place 12th, ridden and struggling when left modest 3rd 3 out, lost 3rd near finish
mistake and unseated rider 1st
left in left at 2nd, headed 5th, chased winner after, every chance when fell 3 out
led until blundered and fell 2nd
mistake 1st, close up, left 6 lengths 2nd, not fluent and slightly hampered 3 out, ridden and closed on winner towards finish, just held
soon pushed along in rear, badly outpaced 10th, stayed on well from 3 out, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, losing place when hampered, carried out and pulled up before 7th
In terms of quality this is not a particularly strong contest and what can only be a tentative vote goes to recent course and distance winner DOC REASON, who is preferred to Majic Moments and Toi Express. The last mentioned has dropped to a decent mark now and the 13-year-old has claims on the form shown when second in a classified chase at Newton Abbot in June but he has disappointed in two starts since then and is probably best watched. John Upson's Major Belle faces no easy task from out of the handicap and of more interest may be The Black Lion. David Gandolfo's gelding is not the most consistent of performers but has every chance on the form shown when chasing home Sarahs Gift at Newton Abbot last month but he is 7lbs higher today. Charlie Longsdon's Majic Moments has not shown much in limited opportunities over hurdles and may do better now switched to fences but preference is for Doc Reason. Patrick Gilligan's gelding ran below par here last time but has won over course and distance previously and he has an obvious chance if able to run up to that form again here.
Majic Moments (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) In rear, short lived effort 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Heir To Be (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Doc Reason (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Behind, tailed off before halfway, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Milesian King (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
The Black Lion (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, blundered 10th, some headway approaching 14th, moderate 6th before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Shammy Buskins (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sep, 10 ran.
Letham Island (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd to 5th, mistaken reminder 7th, ridden 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Morestead (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep.
Scholar King 9-1 (11-5) Chased clear leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, 4th and weakening when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Tiger Moss (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep, 12 ran.
Toi Express (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden, lost place 4 out, 7th of 15, 30l behind Sarahs Gift (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
You Can of Course (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance after 14th, weakened before next, 9th of 15, well behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Miss Merenda 50-1 (10-0) Pressed leader until after 2nd, weakening when not fluent 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Willies Way (12-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug, 17 ran.
Major Belle (FR) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 11th, 4th of 5, well behind Dawn Ride (10-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
