tracked leaders, led after 8th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, driven out
held up, never dangerous
mid-divison, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, no extra run-in
mid-division, headway 4 out, no impression from next
towards rear, when fell 9th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened from next
held up, ridden after 4 out, some headway, never dangerous
tracked leaders, lost place 8th
led, headed after 8th, weakened 4 out, behind when unseated 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, headway 8th, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up headway 4 out, chased winner 2 out, mistake last, stayed on towards finish
Hoo La Baloo is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish here but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding may struggle under his big weight and preference is for Rakalackey, with Kings Brook rated the pick of the remainder. The selection comes into this in good form having won his last two starts, latterly in good fashion over course and distance and even a 12lb rise for that success may not prevent him from following up. Peter Bowen's Iron Man may now be a shade high in the weights, while stablemate Always Waining has more to do than when scoring in a lesser race at Uttoxeter last time. Tonic du Charmil comes here fit from a couple of recent runs over hurdles and could be of interest back over fences but a bigger threat is likely to come from recent Newton Abbot winner Kings Brook. Rakalackey is in the form of his life at present though and he is preferred.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Prominent, close 2nd when fell at the 9th in race won by Sir Frederick (9-10) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Aug, 22 ran.
Iron Man (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, jumped right 1st, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 6l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Joaaci (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always in rear, behind from 10th, tailed off when, 15th of 16, well behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Always Waining (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Held up, headway 13th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May beating Joaaci (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Boychuk (IRE) 8-11fav (11-9) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, stayed at same pace from next, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Classified (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Tommy Spar 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 5th, headway 7th, not fluent 8th, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 26l behind El Bandindos (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Kings Brook 12-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 10th, driven to lead close home, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf beating Forest Green (10-6) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
It Takes Time (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 10th of 16, 18l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Iris Royal (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf, 16 ran.
Mister Flint 25-1 (10-2) Led, ridden 2 out, headed last and one pace, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 18, 14l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Rakalackey 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden 2 out, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Baodai (10-10) by 14l, 12 ran.
Tango Royal (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Never a factor, 9th of 16, 18l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Classic Capers 10-1 (11-8) Towards rear, outpaced when blundered 12th, 5th of 9, 26l behind Ballycassidy (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Keen early, soon in touch, effort when mistake 3 out, soon eased and pulled up 2 out in race won by Decisive (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Fier Normand (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, 2 lengths down when fell in race won by Lord Ryeford (10-13) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul, 11 ran.
