held up, not fluent 4th, reminders after 5th, not fluent next, soon struggling
chased clear leaders, reminders after 7th, struggling approaching 3 out, plugged on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
raced keenly, pressed leader to 3rd, 2nd until 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, mistake 6th, headway next, led approaching 3 out, drew clear from 2 out
raced keenly, set good gallop, clear 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, no chance with winner approaching 2 out, lost 2nd flat
held up towards rear, ridden 7th, some headway under pressure before 4 out, no real impression
chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th until 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
A change of scenery appears to have rejuvenated William Butler and he's taken to defy his penalty. The selection was a grand servant to Steve Brookshaw but kept hitting the frame and only managed to score once. He doubled that tally on his first outing for Evan Williams when winning by 11 lengths from a last time out winner and he should only need to run to a similar level to record his third career success. It's been a little while since he has raced over this trip but he should have the speed for it whilst his penalty does take him to a career high mark but his latest effort was, arguably, a personal best so there's no concern on that score. This is a quick return to action but he appears to have taken his racing well enough in the past and didn't appear to have too hard a time of things at Market Rasen. Albarino got mugged late on over course and distance last time and should go close to giving his rookie trainer a first winner over the sticks if turning up in a similar vein this evening but he's another with a modest strike rate; Rooster's Reunion has dropped to an interesting mark but has a little to prove as do Rookery Lad and Laoch Dubh. Incorporation has been running well but may be a shade high in the weights and of more interest is course and distance winner My Condor who takes a marked drop in grade; he should ensure that this is run at a decent pace though and that will bring the selection's proven stamina into play and enable William Butler to serve it up to his rivals.
Rookery Lad 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 9th ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 9, 12l behind Inaro (10-10) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Incorporation 5-2fav (11-1) Prominent, lost place 6th, ridden and outpaced approaching next, stayed on approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Blandings Castle (10-3) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jun.
My Condor (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Led, headed 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, last of 7, 38l behind Tom's Toybox (9-13) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
William Butler (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, smooth headway 4 out, led before next, soon clear, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Kirby's Vic (11-4) by 11l, 11 ran.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 27l behind Humid Climate (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Albarino (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Towards rear, smooth headway 4 out, led 2 out, all out, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Ground Breaker 12-1 (11-2) Led after 1st, headed 6th, soon outpaced, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind William Butler (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders until outpaced 4 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
