mid-division, ridden after 9th, weakened next
mistake 1st, mid-division, ridden approaching 9th, kept on same pace from 3 out
always travelling well, held up towards rear, smooth headway from 8th, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
chased leaders, hit 7th and 9th, soon ridden, kept on same pace,
in touch, hit 8th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out
chased leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out,
never travelling, mistake 5th, lost touch from next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out,
held up, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out,
led, jumped left from 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, headway 9th, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last,
prominent, ridden and gradually faded from 9th
From a short list containing Tanikos, Tighe Caster and Coat Of Honour, in the finale we will side with Tighe Caster. Just three pounds higher than for his Ludlow win in January, Palua holds claims, while despite having been raised nine pounds for his Huntingdon win, a good run is not ruled out for Tighe Caster, who comes here fit and well and, accordingly, gets the call. A high-class hurdler, Coat Of Honour won his novice event here and could yet be well-handicapped, and despite being five pounds above his latest chasing win, Tanikos could yet go well for Nicky Henderson. Show Me The River landed a beginners' chase at Sedgefield in April and, from a stable whose horses are going well, cannot be ignored today. Now rated just a pound above his Taunton success, Misty Dancer also cannot be ruled out of a good run, while Cheeky Lad has been well placed to win his last three but he'll need to keep it coming today, and Crossbow Creek, who looked like being decent at one time, is also not ruled out of a good run. Overall, though, we will side with Tighe Caster.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 25l behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Chased leaders until weakened after 2 out, 16th of 23, 33l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
Crossbow Creek 3-1fav (11-12) Held up and behind, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 5th, ridden to go 2nd after 3 out, lost 2nd last, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Ellerslie Tom (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Palua 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed after 7th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 43l behind Wrags To Riches (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May.
Tighe Caster 11-4fav (11-1) In rear and pecked 1st, closer order 6th, chased leader from 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, all out to lead flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept beating Free Gift (10-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
Coat of Honour (USA) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, 6 lengths 3rd and held when left 2nd last, hung left and kept on flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Green Tango (11-8) at Perth 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
Tanikos (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, losing place when not fluent 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Polar Gunner (10-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr, 10 ran.
Misty Dancer 7-2 (10-5) Held up, headway 6th, led approaching 3 out, hard ridden flat, just held on, won at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Mar beating Medison (11-4) by a shd, 6 ran.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Toulouse (11-10) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Show Me The River 11-10fav (11-2) In touch, went 2nd 9th, outpaced 2 out, stayed on to lead run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) gf in Apr beating Herecomestanley (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Cheeky Lad 11-10fav (9-13) Taken down early, made all, hit 7th, 8 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on gamely for pressure flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sept beating Appach (10-10) by 2l, 5 ran.
