chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out
went right 1st, mid-division, headway 6th, led 3 out, kept on, ridden out
prominent until after 4th, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 4 out
never fluent, held up, mistake 6th, ridden and headway after 8th, weakening when hit 2 out
mid-division until dropped rear 5th, ridden after 7th, kept on same pace from 3 out
led, ridden approaching 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, kept on same pace
bumped 1st, mid-division, headway 4th, close up when mistake 4 out and lost place, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out
Nonrunner
Bill Owen can give weight away all round, with Abutilon and River Amora the ones to give him most to do. Bill Owen stayed on strongly when getting back to winning ways at Folkestone last time, and has won over this figure-of-eight course before, so despite topweight, Charlie Longsdon's 11-year-old is taken to follow up. Abutilon has been pretty consistent this term, and was a good second to Marked Man at Hereford last time. With Tony McCoy in the saddle, he can make the selection pull out all the stops. River Amora was behind Brendan Powell's charge when they met here in September, but should be a bit closer at the weights this time, while Powell's other runner The Iron Giant faded at Plumpton after trying to make all, and will appreciate the drop back in trip today. Bill Owen is no youngster, but can pay to follow in the finale.
Bill Owen 9-1 (11-10) Led to 3rd, stayed chasing leader, ridden last, stayed on flat, led near finish, won at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gf in Oct beating Action Spirit (11-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Abutilon 4-1fav (9-9) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, held when mistake last, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Marked Man (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
River Amora (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) In touch, chased leader 8th, kept on one pace from 4 out, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Abutilon (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs (5) gf in Sept.
Batchworth Beau 16-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 2nd and 5th, headway from 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon weakened under pressure, 5th of 11, 8l behind Bill Owen (11-10) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gf in Oct.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Led, clear after 3rd, reduced lead 9th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, blundered next, 4th of 7, 31l behind The Hardy Boy (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Green Gamble 18-1 (10-11) Mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Rowdy Yeats (12-2) at Lingfield 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Oct, 11 ran.
Pitton Prince 66-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened and mistake next, 6th of 13, 45l behind Dunsfold Duke (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan '06.
Layasar 11-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, led, headed when fell 4 out in race won by Albarino (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
