chased leader, led 8th, went right last, driven out
chased leaders, soon jumping left, blundered 4th, weakened 3 out, clambered over last, tailed off
led until 8th, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat
took keen hold in rear, fell 5th
mid-division, behind when mistake 6th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, headway 7th, 3 lenghts 3rd when fell 3 out
towards rear, well behind 4 out, refused last
mid-division, left 3rd when hampered 3 out, went 2nd last, closed flat, no impression towards finish
in rear, mistake 4th, hampered next, went poor 4th latter stages
This does not look the strongest of contests and what can only be a tentative vote goes the way of Tony Carroll's CLOONAVERY, who can gain a well deserved success having been running consistently well in defeat in recent starts. Richard Lee's Istron Bay has been given a chance by the handicapper ahead of his reappearance, while Micky Hammond's National Heritage has shown little sign of encouragement in recent starts. Tim Vaughan's Wild Side Of Life ran much better when third behind Quam Celerrime on testing ground at Uttoxeter last time and has claims back on a more suitable surface and he makes more appeal than Quintus, who unseated his rider on his reappearance after making a bad mistake and nearly falling.
Owner Occupier 50-1 (10-13) Behind, never a factor, 9th of 11, 38l behind Zafranagar (11-5) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Istron Bay 12-1 (10-12) Unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Josear (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 9 ran.
Quintus (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Led, clear when blundered badly and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Heezagrey (9-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gs, 10 ran.
Wild Side Of Life (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Led, soon clear, hit 2nd, reduced advantage 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no chance with winner, lost remote 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Quam Celerrime (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Humbel Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, jumped left 1st, pushed along after 5th, tailed off approaching 6th, last of 14, well behind Zahara Joy (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Mr Bond (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, jumped left, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, mistake 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Cartier Opera (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
National Heritage 18-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, hit last, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong on flat, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Zahara Joy (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Cloonavery (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Simone Martini (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Poacher's Dream (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hit 4th, reminders after next, in 4th when fell 7th, in a race won by Chord (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 8 ran.
Flying Squad (UAE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon well behind, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Extreme Conviction (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sep.
