towards rear, struggling 7th, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
behind, struggling from 6th, never dangerous
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind
led to 1st, tracked leader, led again 2 out, ridden flat, edged left and headed near finish
in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 5th
in touch, hit 8th, went 2nd between last 2, ridden flat, squeezed through on far side to lead near finish
towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next
raced keenly, led 1st, headed 2 out, beaten when hit last
not fluent 1st and next, behind, effort under pressure approaching 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, ridden and rallied between last 2, kept on no impression
held up, always behind, pulled up before last
Kerry's Blade is the recommendation ahead of Majorca and Lysander. Pat Haslam's charge was well backed ahead of his most recent outing at Huntingdon but fell when holding every chance with three to jump. There is no more to do here if he puts in a clear round. Majorca is difficult to catch right and has switched stables in pursuit of an overdue victory. Faster ground appears to suit but reliability is not his strong suit. Lysander has no ground worries and has been dropped significantly in trip. Geton landed a novice hurdle in the past but has let down supporters since on heavy ground. Wyn Dixie knows how to win and handles fast ground. The BHB figures suggest that he has it all to do but backers know that he is capable of winning. Border Tale has had plenty of chances and may be vulnerable to something with more scope. Fiddlers Creek was exposed over hurdles and may have remote place claims. A modest affair all things considered and Kerry's Blade should be capable of giving a good account of himself.
Ambition Royal (FR) 11-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Clouding Over (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gf in Apr, 10 ran.
Border Tale 18-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on last, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 23l behind General Alarm (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Heart Of West (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 7th, clear when hit last, ridden flat, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Nabir (9-7) at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Sept.
Lysander (GER) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Fountain Crumble (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (4) gf in May.
Majorca 4-1 (11-2) Held up, effort after 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 4th of 5, 41l behind Billyandi (11-9) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Sept.
Wyn Dixie (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Made all, clear from 2nd, ridden 2 out, held on well, won at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Sept beating Basinet (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up, in touch, ridden 13th, chasing leaders when fell 3 out in race won by John Diamond (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Minouchka (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hampered 4th, headway after 4 out, ridden and stayed on flat, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Nabir (9-7) at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Sept.
