in touch, ridden 15th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, hit 7th, headway 14th, ridden to lead last, headed flat, rallied to lead last strides
mid-division, headway 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 15th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, reminders 8th, ridden 15th, weakened 16th
led to 16th, weakened 3 out
prominent to 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 16th, ridden 3 out, headed last, led again flat, headed last strides
mid-division, pushed along 12th, weakened 3 out
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
We will side with one of the five course and distances winners in the line-up and give the vote to Sungates, with best of the rest possibly proving to be Paddy The Optimist and Tudor King. Much as he has been raised eight pounds for his course and distance win from Terrible Tenant (who runs earlier on the card), the selection is open to improvement and was having his first run for today's trainer on that occasion. He is also well-weighted based on his hurdling form. Tudor King is back to the mark from which he won a conditional jockeys handicap chase at Wincanton in October so holds claims based on that effort. Paddy The Optimist carries a seven-pounds penalty for a facile Newton Abbot win so comes here in good heart, but he will need a career-best effort in order to win today. Metal Detector has form enough over the last year to be considered from his current mark but a number of the others carry the 'has something to prove from current rating' description. Finally, much as Team Captain is eight pounds below a course and distance winning mark from last May, you will have to forgive four poor subsequent efforts if supporting him today. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Sungates.
Presence of Mind (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, chased leader to 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Rolfes Delight (10-5) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jul.
Galtee View (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Slightly hampered 1st, held up, hit 12th, soon lost touch, no chance when hampered, left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, well behind Maidstone Monument (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Metal Detector (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Led until blundered 4th, led again 8th, ridden after 15th, narrowly headed 2 out, hard ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Twisted Logic (11-12) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Monger Lane 7-2jt-fav (11-3) Mid-division, ridden along and lost place 10th, stayed on well from 2 out, 5th of 10, 25l behind Terramarique (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Tee-Jay (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, outpaced 12th, never dangerous after, 7th of 13, 45l behind Wee William (11-9) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Paddy The Optimist (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Led 2nd until 11th, led after 14th, clear from 16th, stayed on well, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Lambrini Bianco (11-6) by 12l, 17 ran.
Another Club Royal 13-2 (10-5) Led to 2nd, chased leaders until weakened 4 out, 3rd of 12, well behind Darina's Boy (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Sungates (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 13th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, ridden out, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Terrible Tenant (10-2) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
