behind, headway from 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 11th, every chance 2 out, mistake next, stayed on strongly
held up in touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened after next
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, under pressure halfway, jumped slowly 7th, hard driven 3 out, never able to challenge
tracked leader, led 4 out, jumped left next, challenged approaching last, stayed on gamely
behind, tailed off before halfway, pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, under pressure 10th, weakened before 3 out
led, mistake and headed 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
This is a tough race for the punters so caution is advised and SKIPPER'S LAD is where our pin landed though Doc Reason and Mr Big are others of note. Colin Tizzard's gelding is still a maiden after seventeen starts but he did not do too much wrong at Newton Abbot on his most recent start and with an ability to handle the prevailing going; today can be a red letter day. Doc Reason accounted for Milesian King at Fontwell. The latter had cut out a fair old lick up front but ultimately was unable to shoulder a hefty weight concession to his rival. Mr Big seems effective on any surface though Noel Fehily steps in to replace a promising conditional in the plate. Dizzy Future would have been a much shorter price were this a few months ago. Two lamentable efforts cannot be ignored despite the likelihood of racing on her preferred surface. Cold Mountain was once useful though probably needs it much softer these days. Keltic Lord maintains his tenaciousness even at his advancing years though the handicapper leaves him little room for manoeuvre. Old Peak Road will be fitter than most in this contest though was disappointing last time out. Skipper's Lad is far from bombproof as selections go but there is enough on the formbook to suggest him as one of the more likelier protagonists.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, dropped to rear when pushed along after 10th, struggling and no chance after, tailed off, 4th of 5, 29l behind King Troy (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f noc chs (3) gf in Aug.
Mr Big (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace and 3rd when hit last, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sandymac (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Keltic Lord 11-1 (11-11) Prominent, led 4th to 10th, mistake 13th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Shammy Buskins (10-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Old Peak Road (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, 9th of 13, 23l behind Orion Express (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Dizzy Future 16-1 (11-12) Prominent, led approaching 2nd to 4th, ridden after 9th, weakened 13th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Shammy Buskins (10-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway after 6th, went 2nd 8th, led after 9th until jumped slowly 10th, outpaced after 13th, weakening when left 3rd 3 out, left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Orfeo Conti (11-11) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well until no extra and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Kells Castle (11-11) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Milesian King (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Led, joined 4th, hard ridden 5 out, headed approaching last, stayed on well, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Doc Reason (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Doc Reason (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug beating Milesian King (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Pipers Legend 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 3rd but weakened approaching last, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Sarahs Gift (10-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Morestead (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 38l behind Benefit Game (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
