tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2nd until approaching 4th, ridden 8th, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch in last, mistake 7th, not fluent next, headway approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, stayed on well, clear final 100 yards
prominent, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
raced freely, led, ridden approaching 9th, headed before 2 out, every chance last, no extra final 100 yards
tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th until next and again briefly when ridden 3 out, no impression 2 out
Orion Express beat The Composer over 2m6f at Wincanton in May and is 3lb better off now. He has been placed on his last two starts and shouldn't be far away again here with September's Newton Abbot winner No Woman No Cry proving vulnerable off today's mark since. Tarabela hasn't raced since falling at Exeter in March and will probably back over fences soon so we'll take a chance on veteran DRUMBEATER. Recent efforts have hardly been inspiring and he finished behind No Woman No Cry at Newton Abbot in August. But he likes fast ground and is now back on the same mark off which he was successful over C&D in March.
Tarabela 15-2 (11-3) Mistake 1st, held up behind in touch, mistake 8th(water), headway into 5th and in touch when fell heavily 12th, in a race won by Theophrastus (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Orion Express 13-2 (11-5) Held up in touch towards rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 9th, led after 3 out, hung left and rider dropped rein flat, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Mission Complete (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
The Composer 13-2 (10-6) Tracked leading pair until ridden along 4f out, soon outpaced and no chance, went moderate 3rd again close home, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Strumble Head (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
No Woman No Cry 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Fresher Fishing (11-1) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Drumbeater (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Mid-division on outside, weakened approaching 8th, 12th of 14, well behind Gunna Be A Devil (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
