chased leaders on outside, hit 3rd, lost place and given reminder, struggling after 11th, behind when pulled up before 12th
with leader until not fluent 5th, stayed 2nd, close up again from 13th, led 4 out, not fluent next, drew clear, stayed on well
chased leaders, mistake 15th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out
in rear, not fluent and pushed along 7th, behind 9th, pulled up before 13th
held up in rear, headway on inside 10th, hit 13th, outpaced before 4 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold and jumped left, led, not fluent 13th, headed 4 out, no impression on winner from next, one pace
chased leaders, not fluent 9th, fell 13th
held up in last, mistake 4th, not fluent 14th, shaken up after next, stayed from 2 out, went 3rd after last, no impression
First Fandango's decline has been rapid and he was well beaten in a hunter chase over course and distance in April. Little Chip also seems to have lost the plot while My Lad Percy and Zama Zama, though often thereabouts, struggle to get their head in front and both unseated their rider last time. Susquehanna River has a chance at the weights but isn't exactly reliable while Winds And Waves lacks a recent run. Old Pals Act beat a subsequent winner at Market Rasen in August and, though 9lb higher, looks the main danger to WEST ENDER (NAP). Kim Bailey's seven-year-old is a bit quirky but has ability and a visor could help him recapture the winning thread.
Little Chip (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) In rear and in touch, in 4th when blundered and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Strumble Head (10-13) at Fontwell 3m 2f cond hcap ch (4) gd, 5 ran.
First Fandango 3-1 (11-5) Led until after 1st, chased leading pair, hit 9th and lost 3rd, mistake 4 out, beaten when blundered next, 5th of 6, 24l behind Rockiteer (11-13) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Old Pals Act (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 12th, upsides 3 out, led narrowly last, driven clear flat, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug beating Strumble Head (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Winds And Waves (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway approaching 16th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 10, 42l behind Loughalder (10-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
West End (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, slow 14th, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, every chance before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Presenting Junior (10-7) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Susquehanna River (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Tracked leader until 9th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 28l behind Valleyofmilan (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Aug.
My Lad Percy 15-2 (10-9) Towards rear, brought down 15th, in a race won by What A Warrior (11-7) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Zama Zama 9-2 (11-7) Hampered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Gizzit (10-12) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd, 12 ran.
