chased leaders, lost place at 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway when hit 5th, chased winner when hit 3 out, weakened after last
led, headed at 9th, lost place next, behind when fell 4 out
held up in touch, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression
chased leader, led 9th, ridden after 3 out, kept on well
in touch, lost place approaching 5th, outpaced 4 out, one pace and no impression from next
in rear, weakened after 4 out
held up towards rear, hit 1st, headway 7th, in 2nd when mistake last, one pace flat
Gale Star gets the vote, with mentions given to Be The Tops, Seaniethesmuggler, Infini and Roschal. Gale Star put in a good effort when coming from off the pace to finish second at Huntingdon last time from his revised mark and, given that today's race could well pan out well for him, looks to hold solid claims. Although six pounds higher than when winning here over a longer trip in July, Be The Tops holds claims, even though he is quirky. Runaway Bishop is now just three pounds above the mark from which he won over further at Towcester so could go well, while Seaniethesmuggler has twice won here and a repeat of his four-length second to The Sister here in August affords him a chance. Despite being raised seven pounds for winning at Cartmel, that was Infini's first run since March 2003 and, well handicapped over fences based on his best hurdling form, he is in good hands to build on that win. He is very much respected, as is Roschal, although that comment for the latter is based on his head win from Saafend Rocket at Ludlow in February. His jumping let him down next time. Finally, Beaugency has more to do than when scoring here over further in July from an eight-pounds higher mark, which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Gale Star.
Be The Tops (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, hit 9th, mistake 12th, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Parisian Storm (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Aug.
Roschal (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, weakened from last, 4th of 12, 10l behind Laudamus (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Apr.
Infini (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Led, clear to 12th, mistake 14th, well clear approaching last, soon ridden, all out, won at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Aug beating Tierkely (10-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Monti Flyer 25-1 (11-3) Keen, chased leaders to 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Burundi (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Led to 4th, chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 8, 22l behind Simlet (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Mar.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-7) Held up, reminder after 5th, hampered 11th, lost touch from next, 6th of 10, 50l behind Ultimate Limit (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Gale Star (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Behind, headway approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, left in lead last, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Celebration Town (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in May.
Beaugency (NZ) 4-5fav (11-0) Held up on outside, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression when not fluent last, 5th of 8, 18l behind Mocharamor (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
