towards rear, headway 4 out to chase leaders, in 3rd and blundered 2 out, one pace
in rear and pushed along, raced wide, headway to take close order when blundered badly 4th, soon lost place
tracked leaders, weakened from 6 out
led, headed 5th, tracked leader, led again before 2 out and not fluent, stayed on well
tracked leaders, went 3rd 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 5th, headed before 2 out, one pace and no impression
THE INFORMANT was well beaten in a higher grade chase at Fontwell on his return but is only 2lb higher than when winning at Plumpton back in April so gets the nod. Wicklewood has not raced since June and course and distance winner Grand Article was last seen at the track in the same month. Beauchamp Viking is struggling but Harrry Bannister's presence takes the eye and a return to form may be imminent.
Wicklewood 4-1 (11-8) Held up well off the pace in 8th, reminders before 7th, modest 5th 9th, went poor 4th after 2 out, never a factor, 4th of 8, 26l behind Respectueux (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
The Informant 3-1 (10-11) With leader, mistake 4 out, pecked 2 out, not recover, 4th of 6, 21l behind Try Catch Me (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Special Mate 14-1 (10-11) Held up, behind from 8th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Carobello (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f am hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Grand Article (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, outpaced 5 out, kept on and no impression, 4th of 10, 16l behind Nomadic Storm (11-5) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in Jun.
Beauchamp Viking 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, mistake 1st, hampered 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Captain Knock (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) fm in Oct.
Top Benefit (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Led until 2nd, prominent, outpaced 10th, weakened after 13th, 5th of 6, 31l behind Carobello (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f am hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
