in touch, reminder after 5th, lost place 10th, behind when mistake 12th, mistake 14th, pulled up before 15th
prominent, not fluent 11th, weakened after 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
led to 8th, remained prominent, weakened after 4 out
prominent, hit 7th, soon pushed along and lost place, behind from 9th, pulled up after 12th
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, blundered 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, took 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway approaching 13th, went 2nd after 4 out, every chance when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
slowly away, always behind, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, mistake 12th, weakened approaching 15th, mistake 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed, beaten when hung left approaching last
mid-division on wide outside, mistake 3rd, mistake 6th, struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
in touch, reminders after 2nd, led 8th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
rear of mid-division, steady headway approaching 13th, led approaching 2 out, in command before last, comfortably
SCOTS DRAGOON showed progressive form over hurdles last term, made an encouraging start to his chasing career when finding just Our Choice a nose too good on his debut at Huntingdon and Nicky Henderson's gelding is taken to go one better here, getting the verdict ahead of Black Anshan and Vinando. The last mentioned was rated 119 at his best over hurdles two years ago but has lost his way a little bit since then and again disappointed on the flat recently so Charlie Egerton's gelding looks best watched. Charlie Mann's Rebel Melody is less exposed than most of these after just seven career starts and is entitled to respect following a pleasing chasing debut here in May when last seen. Ladino was the highest rated of these over hurdles and would have every chance if able to translate form from timber to chasing but lack of experience is of some concern as is a relatively late switch to the larger obstacles at the age of eight. David Pipe's Black Anshan is another that is relatively unexposed and he has to be respected on his first start over fences having been running well over hurdles previously this season. Scots Dragoon has plenty going for him though and he is preferred.
Black Anshan (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Led to after 2nd, chased leader, ridden approaching 5th, weakening when pulled up 3 out in race won by Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug, 16 ran.
Brimham Boy 9-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 11th until 4 out, hanging right and weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 39l behind St Mellion Freeway (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft.
Cengiz (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Disputed lead, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied to chase winner flat, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Shoudawoudacouda (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Aug.
John Fenton (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Led to 6th, weakened 9th, 6th of 7, 44l behind Thunder Rock (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Ladino (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 8th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 10l behind Barneys Mate (9-12) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
La Estrella (USA) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up, ridden 11th, soon struggling, 5th of 10, well behind Brinkmanship (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
One To Note (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 7th, chasing leaders when hung left 2 out, mistake last, ran on, 4th of 11, 3l behind Lost Treasure (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Ortega (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 7th of 10, well behind St Mellion Freeway (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft.
Scots Dragoon 11-10fav (10-11) In touch, mistake 8th, chased leader 10th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on under pressure, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Our Choice (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Snitton Salvo 125-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Insignia (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Jul, 13 ran.
Vinando 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division until weakened quickly 9th, pulled up after 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar '07, 20 ran.
Quattrocento (FR) 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Thunder Rock (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner from 13th, no impression, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Go West (11-0) at Southwell 3m 2f nov chs (4) gd in May.
