led until mistake 4 out, still disputing lead 3 out, 3rd and held before last, hampered towards finish
chased leader, blundered 3rd, not fluent 8th, challenged 12th, led 4 out, headed just after 3 out, held next
chased leaders, went left and dived at 1st, jumped big next, not clear run after 4 out or 3 out, switched right and hanging badly left from final bend, went 2nd and hampered 2 out, switched right before last, held flat, hampered 3rd towards finish
held up, jumped right at times, not fluent 2nd, closed 11th, switched right 3 out, soon led, bumped by rival from behind 2 out, driven out flat
Ruthless Article had been headed and looked beaten when falling at the last at Stratford in the race won by Some Day Soon in July, though is 6lb better off. HOOPER (NAP) also came to grief at the last at Stratford last time but was in front at the time and also making his debut over the larger obstacles that day. If confidence hasn’t been affected, he can make amends here with Nico de Boinville taking over from a 7lb claimer.
Ruthless Article (IRE) 6-4 (11-5) Led, jumped left throughout, pushed along 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 3, 2 1/2l behind Eglantine Du Seuil (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Some Day Soon (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went close 2nd at 9th, pushed along and looking held when blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 2 out, great recovery but no chance in 3rd after, 3rd of 4, 19 3/4l behind Presentandcounting (11-10) at Stratford 2m 5f (3) gd in Aug.
Hooper 11-8 (11-2) Jumped left at times, chased winner, pushed along after 3 out, led after next, soon went 3 lengths clear, hanging badly left from final bend, only 1 length ahead when not fluent and unseated rider last, at Stratford 2m 3f (3) gd in Sep.
Shang Tang (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Steadied rear, never a factor, tailed off, 19th of 26, 28 1/2l behind Heaven Help Us (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
