in touch, blundered and dropped to rear 9th, struggling under pressure after 3 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, reminder after 6th, headway approaching 9th, chasing leaders next, disputing 2nd approaching 2 out until soon after 2 out, weakened between last two
chased leading pair, hit 3 out and ridden, soon lost place, tailed off
in lead after 1st, pushed along and headed before 2 out, weakened 2 out
last pair, went poor 5th before last, never a factor
chased leaders, disputing 2nd when mistake 2 out, driven and no extra in 3rd between last two
took keen hold, held up, headway tracking leaders 3 out, 2nd soon after 2 out, ridden and no impression before the last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led going well before 2 out, clear last, driven out (no time taken)
BIG SOUND has been in good form over fences of late but it must be noted that he also went really well when last seen over hurdles when second to a then in-form Cowslip at Wetherby in the spring. He's rated 5lb lower over hurdles and looks the one to beat with trip and ground in his favour. Still Believing has been mixing hurdling and chasing this year, running consistently well without winning and his solidity should see him on the premises once more and he could emerge as the prime threat. Always Archie is interesting on his first start for Robert Stephens but does have topweight and a 321-day absence to overcome. He's a useful sort all the same. Sir Frank Morgan is somewhat erratic but has claims at his best and West End and Dr Robin are not excluded from the foot of the weights in a tight little heat.
Always Archie 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5 out, ridden to chase winner run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Volcanic Jack (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Still Believing (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, ridden after 2 out, kept on and every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Moorlands Jack (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jun.
Sir Frank Morgan (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, mistake 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 11, 14l behind Antony (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Big Sound 7-2fav (11-1) Led until after 2nd, led 3rd, not fluent 11th, clear before 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun beating High Ron (11-9) by 4l, 9 ran.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, jumped left and effort 15th, jumped left and outpaced 4 out, rallied next, no impression after 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 33l behind Pinerolo (11-10) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Maypole Lass 11-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 34l behind Blackwell Synergy (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
West End (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up behind, pushed along after 8th, headway before 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Blackwell Synergy (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Dr Robin (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader from 2nd, led 4th, soon headed, led again 8th, headed on home bend, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Thatshowhedidit (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
