tracked leading trio, hit 1st, lost 4th at 6th, driven in 4th after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner
held up in touch, went 4th at 6th, weakened 3 out
chased winner, every chance when hit 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened 2 out
jumped right at times, made all, went right and hit 11th, driven after last, stayed on well flat (no time taken)
held up last, some headway approaching 11th, weakened before next
chased leading pair, every chance 3 out, went 2nd before next, held when hit last, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
Nonrunner
A few of these would have been equally at home over fences and it's almost a year since To Live last ran over the smaller obstacles. Cannon Fodder won at Fontwell two weeks ago, however, though is still carrying more than his allotted weight here. So Fine finished ahead of Red Not Blue when second at Worcester last month but there shouldn't be much between the pair on today's revised terms. Sail And Return may be too high in the weights now while Aimigayle doesn't stand much racing nowadays so we'll give a tentative vote to DAWN COMMANDER in the hope that a recent break will have recharged his batteries. He hasn't won since March last year but has decent form in better company and still has time on his side.
Dawn Commander (GER) 9-1 (11-8) Led and keen, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 20l behind Andreo Bambaleo (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Sail And Return 11-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 8, 18l behind Big Talk (11-0) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs.
So Fine (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged before 3 out, led narrowly soon after, ridden flat, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Ogee (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug.
Aimigayle 8-1 (11-1) Chased clear leader until approaching 9th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Pure Faith (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
To Live (FR) Evensfav (10-13) Held up, mistake 10th (water), headway 11th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance last, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Mostly Bob (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Cannon Fodder 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 2 out, ridden and pressed last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Me And Ben (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Red Not Blue (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led and set steady pace, driven before 3 out, headed narrowly soon after, ridden between last 2, kept on and every chance until no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Ogee (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug.
