held up, headway to chase leader at the 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, stumbled last, readily
held up, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, headway when hit 7th, one pace from 3 out
led, blundered at next, headed 3rd, chased leaders, lost place 7th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
always behind, jumped slow 4th, weakened from 3 out
The vote here goes to Prince Adjal, with others considered being College City, Un Autre Espere, Kercabellec, Meltonian and Knight's Emperor. It is hard to gauge how good Prince Adjal might be over fences, and he has been raised 14 pounds for winning over course and distance two runs ago. The first-time eyeshield worn there did not work over hurdles last time but, if he's in the same mood as when scoring, he should take a hand in things here. Stablemate College City is five pounds above the mark from which he won at Southwell, but also holds claims, and he holds Gipsy Cricketer based on that win. Mikasa looks held from his current mark, while Un Autre Espere has been raised two pounds for being narrowly beaten over course and distance last time, but holds claims based on that run. Winning hurdler Reverse Swing has yet to race over fences, while Kercabellec remains competitive from his current mark but can't quite get his head in front from it, although his chance cannot be discounted. Meltonian looks reasonably weighted overall and, with a right-handed track possibly suiting better, he can go well. Given that Knight's Emperor is only three pounds above the mark from which he won at Newton Abbot in August, he can go well, although he was held when falling at Stratford last time. It's a tight affair and the betting might provide some guidance, but the vote just goes to Prince Adjal.
College City (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 39l behind Hakim (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Aug.
Meltonian 13-2 (11-11) Held up, headway 3 out, mistake last, weakened, 4th of 10, 23l behind Jazz Night (12-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Aug.
Kercabellec (FR) 10-1 (11-4) In touch, mistake 3rd, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 29l behind Jazz Night (12-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Aug.
Gipsy Cricketer 6-1 (11-0) Led 2nd, jumped right 3 out, hard ridden and headed flat, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Jazz Night (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
Un Autre Espere 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, headed close home, 2nd of 13, shd behind Uncle John (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Sept.
Mikasa (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Mid-division, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression, 6th of 11, 15l behind Parisienne Gale (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Aug.
Prince Adjal (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 41l behind Norton Sapphire (10-0) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
Knight's Emperor (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, reminders 6th, chased winner approaching 4 out, 2nd and beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Glengarra (10-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Sept, 6 ran.
