mid-division, headway when hampered bends after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, nearest finish
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden 9th, no impression
mid-division, headway on bit 9th, led from 3 out, soon ridden, kept on gamely from 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway after 9th, weakening when hung left approaching last
prominent, jumped left 1st, always struggling, weakened 9th
in touch, stumbled bend approaching 9th, ridden 3 out, one pace
held up, headway 9th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, held in 4th when stumbled last
prominent, ridden 9th, kept on from 2 out
mid-division, ridden 9th, stayed on from 2 out
Nonrunner
He's The Gaffer is well treated on his chase form back over hurdles today but Bob Buckler's gelding is patently better over the larger obstacles and has yet to win a race over the smaller ones after 13 starts so looks best watched and preference is for Three Lions, who gets the vote over My Skipper. The last mentioned was good value for his win here last week but a 9lb rise for that success leaves the seven-year-old with a lot more to do today so he may be best left out of calculations. Jimmy Frost's Cornish Flame opened his account over hurdles when landing selling contest here in June and has to be respected but this looks tougher and of more interest may be Brendan Powell's Palace Walk, who comes here fit from the flat. Given the form of Peter Bowen's runners this summer, Gunnabelil has to be considered off a nice racing weight but the vote goes to Three Lions. David Pipe's gelding has shown improved form since being returned to hurdles after an unsuccessful spell chasing and he is taken to gain a deserved success.
Cornish Flame 5-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, led next, driven out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Flying Spirit (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Lets Get Busy (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 9th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Barneys Mate (11-4) at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Bobsleigh 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, slow 2nd, hit 8th, soon driven and under pressure, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 14, 23l behind Le Forezien (10-5) at Hereford 3m 2f sll hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Palace Walk (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden after 5th, not fluent next, beaten before 3 out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Sonic Anthem (11-5) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Bandearg (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 3rd, headed before 7th, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Miriams Rose (11-4) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 gs.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, led 14th, ridden clear approaching 2 out, just held on, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating The King of Angels (11-0) by a shd, 8 ran.
Even Flo 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, blundered badly 8th, ridden next, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tempsford (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 14 ran.
Dunbell Boy (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) With leader until 8th, soon ridden, weakened next, 7th of 12, 48l behind My Skipper (10-2) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Wee Danny (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, badly hampered when unseated rider at the last in race won by Vintage Fabric (10-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 13 ran.
Rich Nomad 13-2 (10-5) Towards rear, brief effort 9th, behind when pulled up in race won by Masterpoint (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jul, 11 ran.
Gunnabelil 8-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, ridden after next, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 21l behind My Skipper (10-2) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Zuleta 40-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 36l behind Killone Moonlight (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft.
Three Lions 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, led briefly next, led again last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Killone Moonlight (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft.
My Skipper (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) In touch until lost place after 8th, good headway after 9th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Idian Mix (11-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
