in touch, hit 6th and 12th, ridden 4 out, held 3 out
in touch and keen, lost place 5th, weakened 5 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 11th
towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden 4 out and kept on
mid-division, effort 11th, soon weakened
mistake and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, blundered 3rd, behind from 10th, mistake last
jumped right 1st, in touch, mistake 13th, ridden when hampered 4 out and left 2nd, no impression on winner
towards rear, stayed on from 4 out
tracked leaders, every chance when fell 4 out
mid-division, hit 10th and 11th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
made all, joined unchallenged 4 out and left clear
always in rear, mistake 6th
behind from 8th, pulled up 3 out
Megaton was just about the best of these over hurdles and showed enough on his chasing debut earlier this month to suggest that he would be more than good enough to take this so he gets the vote ahead of Michabo and Warpath. The last mentioned has shown promise in both starts over fences this term and should be thereabouts once more but may have to settle for minor honours. Bauhaus is capable but likely to find at least one too good, while Sasso gave little sign of encouragement on his return at Sedgefield and may be best watched. Looks The Business has shown signs of ability but looks booked for a place at best and a bigger threat is likely to come from Michabo, especially if he can reproduce the form shown at Stratford last month. Megaton has solid claims though and is hard to oppose.
Bauhaus (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 10, 4l behind The Entomologist (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Dundonald 100-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, mistake and saddle slipped 3rd, tailed off when pulled up at the 5th in race won by L'Oiseau (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 12 ran.
Flashing Wild (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 5f out, 12th of 16, well behind Run For Moor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd.
He's The Boss (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up, not fluent 3rd, driven to challenge 12th, led briefly approaching 3 out, soon headed, driven and no chance with winner when refused 2 out in race won by Limited Edition (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Hoh Nelson 16-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on moderately towards finish, 5th of 11, 9l behind Dizzy Future (10-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Looks The Business (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up, headway 7th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Albertas Run (11-3) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Megaton 5-2fav (11-4) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Karelian (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Michabo (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led until mistake 1st, with leaders, not fluent 2nd, pecked 8th, ridden 9th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Templer (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Nesnaas (USA) 13-2 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden and weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Secret Glen (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Sasso 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 13, 38l behind Karelian (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Secret's Out 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division until struggling after 6th, 14th of 16, well behind Holiday Cocktail (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sept.
Warpath (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Chased leader, led 1st to 9th, ridden 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Templer (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Molly De Cudgel (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Always behind, trailing from 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Monty Mint (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs gf.
Showtime Annie 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching next, no impression, 4th of 12, 22l behind Too Posh To Share (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jul.
