pecked 1st, in rear, blundered 9th, soon struggling, lost touch after 4 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, driven and outpaced by front pair after next, soon ridden, stayed on to take narrow 2nd near finish, not reach winner
held up in touch, struggling after 9th, ridden and lost touch after 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
jumped right throughout, with leader on outside, driven and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 4 out, driven after next, hard pressed 2 out, stayed on well from last
held up towards rear, headway on inside 4 out, chased winner before next, every chance 2 out to before last, kept on same pace, held when lost 2nd near finish
made most to 4 out, soon lost place and ridden, weakened before next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Dark Invader, down a mark of under 100 for the first time when runner-up the last day, still doesn't appeal as thoroughly convincing even though this isn't the strongest of races. Red Inca is the veteran of the party but still has only five starts over fences under Rules and is hard to get a proper handle on, although Charlie Todd's 7lb claim is a bonus. Inconsistent Mariners Moon has a clear chance at his best but has pulled up on two of his last four starts. He makes the shortlist but JOLY MAKER, a former Enda Bolger inmate, has potential for considerable improvement as a five-year-old over fences and has enough form in the book to get the nod if forgiven a poor latest effort.
Dark Invader (FR) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up in touch, chased winner from 8th, hit 9th, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind No No Cardinal (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Red Inca 16-1 (11-4) Chased winner until 4th, 2nd again before next, led 6th until 7th, every chance 4 out, no impression last, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Equus Millar (11-4) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Joly Maker (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, well beaten before 4 out, 6th of 11, 36l behind Mahlers Star (12-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Agentleman (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 4 out, headway before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 23 1/2l behind Brave Spartacus (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Jacobite Rising (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped right 6th, headway next, weakened before 4 out, pulled up approaching 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Mariners Moon (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chasing leaders when jumped right and not fluent 1st, soon lost a few places, effort 4 out, hanging right in 4th before 3 out, left 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Mac Cennetig (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Dragon Khan (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, kept on same pace from after next, 4th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Mountain Of Angels (10-5) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Cnoc Sion (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, some headway when hampered 4 out, no impression and weakened, 7th of 14, dist behind Samson (12-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
