led 2nd to 4th, prominent to 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, jumped slowly 8th, led 3 out, ridden after last, ran on
always behind, blundered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
towards rear, blundered 3rd, fell 5th
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner last, stayed on same pace
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 5th, hit 7th, ridden and mistake 2 out, one pace from last
jumped left, led to 2nd, led again 4th to 3 out, weakening when not much room and hit last
chased leaders to 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
always behind
in touch, hit 6th, weakened 9th
behind, headway after 10th, ridden 2 out, one pace last
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 10th, weakened next
Nonrunner
This does not look to be the best of races and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Moss Bawn, who is preferred to Shady Merlin and Young Tot. The last mentioned had little chance off a much higher mark back over hurdles at Stratford last time but has solid claims back over the larger obstacles in this grade today and he rates a bigger threat than the Ron Hodges-trained Sunshan, who has given little cause for optimism of late. Trickstep has been well held in recent starts, including in this grade, while recent Fontwell scorer Lojo has to race from 13lbs out of the weights proper. Shady Merlin, who was behind Lojo in that race would not be without a chance of reversing that form but the vote goes to Moss Bawn, who has done little wrong of late and should appreciate the drop back in trip today having failed to stay three miles last time.
Lord of The Hill (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, slipped badly on landing 1st, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Call Me Edward (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Aug, 8 ran.
Moss Bawn (IRE) 11-4 (10-6) Led to 3rd, with leader, led 9th to 14th, weakened and jumped right from 4 out, 5th of 9, well behind Faddad (10-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
The Mighty Sparrow (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In touch until not fluent and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Moss Bawn (10-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jul, 10 ran.
Trickstep 12-1 (11-4) In touch, headway to chase leader approachng 5th, mistake next, weakened, 3rd of 10, 29l behind Peter's Imp (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Aug.
Sunshan 20-1 (11-5) In touch when went lame and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Sailor A'Hoy (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-88 (5) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Shady Merlin (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on inside 6th, ridden behind leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Lojo (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp hdl (5) gf.
Young Tot (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Led to 3rd, remained prominent until weakened after 2 out, 6th of 9, 30l behind Flamand (9-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Lojo 13-2 (10-6) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden ran on gamely flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp hdl (5) gf beating Before The Mast (11-6) by a hd, 12 ran.
