led, faced strong challenge 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly last, kept on, no extra run-in
prominent, fell 1st
in rear, slightly hampered by faller 1st, went 4th and mistake 15th, pressed leader 2 out, pushed along and led narrowly last, ridden and asserted run-in
tracked leaders early, dropped towards rear 12th, ridden before 2 out, plugged on same pace
mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, not fluent 2 out, ridden and no impression before last
towards rear, pushed along and no progress after 2 out
mid-division, hampered by faller 1st, went handy 3rd, hit 14th, ridden home turn, weakened before last
in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent at times and reminder after 9th, well behind 3 out
mid-division, unseated rider 1st
handy, pushed along and gradually weakened after 2 out
Aye Right is a smart handicap chaser and won the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last season. He hasn’t raced since down the field in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, however, and usually needs a run. Big River seeks a fourth course victory but is 8lb higher than when second last year and isn’t getting any younger. Sounds Russian is 2-2 here and probably capable of further improvement this winter while Does He Know won a Grade 2 at Ascot in February. EVA’S OSKAR could be interesting if recent rain turns the ground soft. Tim Vaughan’s grey won on his reappearance last year and in 2019. Stamina shouldn’t be an issue for Castle Robin as he steps out of novice company and Rapid Flight has been in great form but this is a significant step up in grade.
Aye Right (IRE) 80-1 (11-10) Soon close up, led 7th, headed 15th, lost place 4 out, weakened before mistake 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind A Plus Tard (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Does He Know 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 13th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 19th of 24, dist behind Corach Rambler (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Sounds Russian (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, midfield 3rd, prominent 6th, not fluent 8th and 9th, ridden to chase leader 4 out, close up last, led flat, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Dusart (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
De Rasher Counter 80-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 8th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Hill Sixteen 33-1 (11-12) Midfield, steady headway 13th, ridden 5 out, in touch when hampered by faller and unseated rider 4 out, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Big River (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Not always fluent and went right at times, chased leaders, lost a bit of ground 6th, went 3rd from 4 out, unable to get on terms, 3rd of 4, 6 3/4l behind Potterman (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Eva's Oskar (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leader, challenged omitted 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Dr Kananga (11-8) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Bavington Bob (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Held up rear of mid-division, closed 5th, jumped right and bumped 8th, lost place 14th, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Charlie Uberalles (10-7) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Rapid Flight 2-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 15th until before 4 out, went 2nd again after last, soon led, clear final bend, reduced lead towards finish, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating All About Joe (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Castle Robin (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Made virtually all, pushed along before 3 out, idled flat, ridden out, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Fern Hill (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
