tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, outpaced from next, plugged on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
led, headed before 8th, led again 15th, headed 4 out, no chance with winner after 3 out, lost 2nd place flat
in rear and reminders, soon struggling, tailed off
chased leaders until 1st, soon lost place and towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 7th, lost place before 9th and mistake, soon tailed off
with leader, led before 8th, headed 15th, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, eased flat
in touch in 4th, pushed along 14th, weakened from 16th
The bottom pair are out of the handicap and Backfromthecongo has been running poorly. Civil Servant has had ten starts over fences without winning and has been well beaten this summer so this can go to ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES. Chris Gordon's charge is only moderate but at least he knows where the finish line is having won seven times from 36 career starts. He's done better over hurdles recently but reverts to fences on a lowly mark and can get the better of Chandlers Cross on these terms. The latter, who has won seven races between the flags, has been going well this summer but appears to be better suited to quicker ground and has to concede 10lb to the selection.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, under pressure 11th, chased leading pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Heezagrey (9-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Chandlers Cross (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Took keen hold, led until 3rd, led 10th, headed 13th, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Le Seychellois (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Sep.
Civil Servant 11-2 (11-7) Towards rear and early reminders, struggling from 8th, 5th of 13, 32l behind Silver Coaster (10-13) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Absolute Shambles 16-1 (9-12) Chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and not fluent when headed last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Is It Me (10-8) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
How's D Strawboss (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, weakened 6th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Robbie (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Thirtytwo Red (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent and pushed along 4th, behind 7th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Le Seychellois (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
