tracked leaders, jumped slow 1st and lost place, in rear and soon pushed along, reminders 3rd, detached when refused 7th
held up in rear, weakened from 5 out
tracked leader, jumped left 2nd, weakened after 5 out, tailed off
tracked leaders and keen, joined leader 5 out, led 3 out, headed and blundered last, soon weakened
led, jumped slow 1st, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, headed 3 out, rallied to chase winner after last, hampered final 100 yards, kept on, held close home
soon chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenged 2 out, led last, hung left final 100 yards and bumped rival horse, held on close home
If Rougham recovers well from falling at Exeter last time out he has reasonable prospects in this race. He was running well before falling independently at the same fence as Celestial Halo and if completing here has to be a big threat to our selection, SWAY. The pick was a fine performer in France over timber and although disappointing since switching to Jonjo O'Neill, the conditions of the race with her sex and age allowances could be enough to assist her to victory. Sambulando has the assistance of Paddy Brennan and the trip and ground should suit. Petrosian has won here on the hurdles course but is bang out of form, whilst Mujamead hasn't shown a liking for fences before and is opposed, as is 2008 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Border Castle who looked reluctant over the bigger obstacles at Uttoxeter most recently.
Border Castle 3-1 (11-2) Prominent, not fluent, jumped very slowly 5th, reluctant and soon behind, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Abey M'boy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Oct, 4 ran.
Mujamead 7-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Miss Molly Be Rude (10-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jul.
Petrosian 22-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, headway 2nd, ridden and weakened 3 out, hung left flat, 4th of 11, 31l behind National Trust (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f sell hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Sambulando (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, not fluent next, not fluent 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 12, 22l behind Nearby (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Rougham 6-1 (10-7) Led, joined from 7th, headed after next, a close 2nd when fell 4 out, in a race won by Diamond Brook (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Sway (FR) 8-11fav (9-11) Held up in 4th, left 3rd 5th, shaken up 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 39l behind Abey M'boy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Oct.
