took keen hold, mid-division on outside, lost place 7th, soon struggling and behind, 7th when blundered last
held up behind, headway into mid-division 4th, tracked leaders 4 out, challenged and every chance when mistake next, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no chance with leading pair
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden last, stayed on to challenge flat, led final strides
led, joined 7th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, effort to chase leaders after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression
mistake 1st, tracked leader, challenged 7th, blundered next, lost place 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, mistake and dropped towards rear 3rd, outpaced 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led before next, ridden last, kept on under pressure when hard pressed flat, headed final strides
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, never on terms
reluctant start, in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
War Party has ability but doesn't find a great deal off the bridle and is by no means guaranteed to build on a promising performance at Worcester and stronger claims are held by DIACO. The gelding has taken a while to find his form since missing the whole of 2009 but his second to a decent yardstick at Newton Abbot was definitely a step in the right direction and it's to be hoped that he can build on that. It's worth noting that he has twice run poorly here and if he fails to handle the track again then Paul Webber's easy Huntingdon winner Red Birr may be able to take advantage. Classic Fly appeared to run above himself on his second run over fences when second to Pouvoir at Uttoxeter so enters calculations along with I'm A Legend and chasing debutant Corredor Sun.
Norborne Bandit (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, ridden 7th, went right after next, no impression 4 out, 7 lenghts down in 4th 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Bermuda Pointe (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
War Party 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and headed flat, unable to quicken, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Emirates World (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Diaco (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, pushed along after 6th, no impression 4 out, 10 lenghts 5th 2 out, stayed on approaching last, ran on well flat, not able to reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Bermuda Pointe (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
I'm A Legend 12-1 (10-10) Disputed lead to 5th, tracked winner, pecked 10th, lost place 3 out, 4th and one pace when hit last, 4th of 5, 7l behind Ragador (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Tifoso (FR) 25-1 (10-11) In touch towards rear, took keen hold, close enough on bend approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13l behind Celticello (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
First Boy 9-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, weakened from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Oscar Glory (10-13) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep '09, 11 ran.
Corredor Sun (USA) 20-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway when ridden and hung right before 2 out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 20l behind Alhaque (10-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Classic Fly (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 5th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace after last, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Led after 2nd, headed 2 out, chased winner and stayed on 1f out, always held, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Mischief Man (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Owls Fc (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Golden Gem (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
High Skies 20-1 (11-4) Soon led, headed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Golden Gem (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd, 14 ran.
Red Birr (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistake and pecked 2nd, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Aug beating Le Brocquy (11-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
San Deng 9-2 (11-6) With leader until 3rd, pushed along briefly 5th, disputing close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Troodos Jet (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 6 ran.
