led, driven and headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in 3rd, poised to challenge 3 out, shaken up after next, ridden to lead before last, drew clear flat, ran on
held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, switched outside and rallied into 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair before last
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, driven to lead before next, ridden and headed before last, not pace of winner flat
Another small field and The Unit and Drinks Interval are renewing hostilities after Colin Tizzard’s mare came out on top here last month. She is 5lb worse off today, however, and may struggle to confirm that form. Applesandpierres went close at Cartmel two weeks ago but is jumping fences late in life. SWORD OF FATE has taken really well to the larger obstacles. The five-year-old will have to defy a double penalty here but his slick jumping will put his rivals under pressure.
Sword Of Fate (IRE) 5-4fav (12-5) Raced freely, made all, clear 2nd until 6th, mistake 9th, not fluent 10th, clear again before last, stayed on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Capeland (12-2) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
The Unit (IRE) 4-11fav (11-3) Led, jumped right 1st, hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Drinks Interval (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Jul.
Applesandpierres (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leading pair, mistake 4th, jumped left 2 out, went 2nd on extended run-in, soon ridden and every chance, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Dear Sire (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gd in Jul.
Drinks Interval 9-4 (10-5) Not fluent 1st, chased leader from 2nd, challenged 3 out, soon pushed along, led flat, ridden and ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Jul beating The Unit (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
