hit 2nd, never travelling in rear, pulled up before 12th
tracked winner, ridden after 4 out, kept on, always held from next
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, ridden after 12th, plugged on
struggling 7th, soon lost touch, pulled up after 10th
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten
in touch until 12th
mid-division, went 3rd after 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out
made all, pecked 11th, ridden out
River Indus looks set for another course-and-distance success, with Lusaka De Pembo and Castlemore seen as the main dangers. River Indus justified favouritism here back in May, bolting up to the tune of 14-lengths despite making a mistake at the last, and has been given plenty of time to get over those exertions. The seven-year-old was not winning out of turn, and although now higher in the weights, still looks on a reasonable mark. Lusaka De Pembo made no show at Ludlow last time, and the feeling is that the handicapper is starting to tighten his grip, while Castlemore was regularly partnered by Richard Johnson a few years ago, and will at least benefit from having him back in the plate. Almizan has it to do off topweight, and all in all, we much prefer the claims of River Indus who has more to offer.
Almizan (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, moved closer when not fluent 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, no chance when fell 2 out in race won by That Look (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
Lusaka De Pembo (FR) 11-4 (10-13) Held up, mid-division, mistake 14th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 16l behind Borehill Joker (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Castlemore (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Prominent, mistake 8th, reminders 12th, driven14th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Full On (11-1) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Lapidaie (FR) 100-1 (11-3) Behind, losing touch 3rd and pulled up at the 5th in race won by Caislean Na Deirge (10-13) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Oct, 13 ran.
Follow Your Heart (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch to 15th, tailed off when pulled up * out in race won by Alfadora (10-2) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th and no chance when blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Youll Do For Me (11-7) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
River Indus 11-4fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, led 3 out, clear last, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Monsieur Georges (11-10) by 14l, 11 ran.
Big Al (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened 15th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Gumley Gale (11-8) at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Oct, 16 ran.
