towards rear, hampered 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, blundered badly and unseated rider 5th
in touch, weakened 6th, dropped rear, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
led, headed 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, edged right, flat
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out
always in rear
in touch, ridden 7th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
held up rear, some headway 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 7th, stayed on towards finish
always prominent, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, ran on
Tsar's Twist can reel off another win, with The Wife's Sister, Amber Dawn and Charm Offensive all out to stop him. Tsar's Twist showed the right attitude to make a wining start under rules in hunter-chase company at Ludlow in April, having earlier completed a successful run between the flags, and this lightly-raced sort has more to offer judged on his latest effort. That was at Southwell in June when he jumped well and made all to beat a large field of handicap hurdlers, and so this exposed set of rivals should hold no fears for the seven-year-old who will not be inconvenienced by the step up in trip. The Wife's Sister can usually be relied on to give you a run for your money, but is only plating class at best, while Amber Dawn is a maiden still and will surely need this first outing since last October. Charm Offensive overcame a long absence to gain a rare victory at Taunton in April and has not been seen since. He has more to do here, with the progressive Tsar's Twist very much the one to beat in the finale.
Big Quick (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always behind, 10th of 14, 39l behind Zeloso (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
In The Hat (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind, 8th of 16, 27l behind Salt Cellar (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
The Wife's Sister 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leader 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind Windy Spirit (11-9) at N Abbot 3m 3f ldy hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Tsar's Twist 10-3fav (10-0) Made all, ridden 3 out, ran on, won at Southwell 3m nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul beating Waynesworld (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Mr Dip 20-1 (10-1) Held up, headway after 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 24l behind Terramarique (10-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Amber Dawn 20-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, jumped left 4th, headway 8th, mistake next, weakened 4 out, 5th of 11, 25l behind Galtee View (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Oct.
Charm Offensive 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on strongly run in, led final strides, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) frm in Apr beating Field Master (10-12) by a hd, 9 ran.
Miss Muscat 6-1 (10-2) Always behind, 4th of 9, 24l behind Francines-Boy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.