held up behind, chased leaders briefly 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, driven 3 out, ridden and lost place before next, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 4 out, close up when stumbled after next, ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
led to 4 out, lost place before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
mid-division in touch, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, close up 6th, pushed along from next, mistake and lost place 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on outside 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, just held
tracked leader, led 4 out, pressed last, soon ridden, kept on flat, just held on
Gordon Elliott's Scottish invasions require no introduction and his raider here, Le Grand Chene, is an obvious candidate off a tempting weight. However, he's not the easiest to catch right as a record of one win and three disappointments since joining his new yard exemplifies. He's likely to be a pretty short price but we'll swerve him as it really is hard to know what to expect from him. WHAT A STEEL has been in good form on recent starts and although an 8lb rise seems harsh for an 11-year-old winning a Hexham seller last month, his general consistency and reliability should see him on the premises. Los Nadis is another course regular who can get involved and any support for Ballygrooby Bertie on his first run for the shrewd Crawford operation would be noteworthy.
Ballygrooby Bertie (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 4 out, badly hampered 3 out, beaten after, 8th of 10, 35l behind Drumlang (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Aug.
What A Steel (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, led before last, kept on strongly, won at Hexham 2m 7f sell (4) gd in Jun beating An Poc Ar Buile (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Rev Up Ruby 9-2 (11-2) Held up in last pair, headway into modest 4th before 3 out, no chance when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by St Maxime (10-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Los Nadis (GER) 9-2 (11-2) Led until approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Romany Ryme (11-4) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Presented (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden before 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 11, 44l behind Broughtons Bandit (10-12) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Bollin Fiona 16-1 (11-5) In rear, some headway before 2 out, never dangerous, 9th of 17, 33l behind Willie Hall (10-5) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Mar.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 6-1 (10-9) Held up, soon towards rear, headway 5 out, poor 4th 4 out where not fluent, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 31l behind Abarta (9-13) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-109 gd in Jun.
Solway Sam 6-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 14th, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 14, 11l behind Solway Legend (10-3) at Hexham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
