tracked leaders, soon went 2nd, weakened before and not fluent 11th, pulled up before 4 out
led, headed 5 out, ridden and weakened before 4 out, left poor 3rd from last
held up in touch in 4th, hit 7th, headway before 11th, led 5 out, headed 4 out, ridden and about 2 lengths down in 2nd and looking held when fell last
tracked leaders, took closer order 8th, weakened after 5 out
held up in towards rear, jumped right and bumped 12th, unseated rider soon after
mid-division, headway before 10th to chase leaders, jumped left 12th, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, left 2nd at last, driven to lead towards finish
held up mid-division, headway before 11th, joined leaders 5 out, ridden to lead 4 out, kept on from last, headed towards finish
in rear, pecked 1st, soon reminders, mistakes throughout, never dangerous
held up towards rear, lost place from 10th and outpaced, never dangerous after
Nothing stands out in this opener but Round Tom is unexposed over fences and ran well on his return to action over hurdles at Cheltenham. He makes more appeal than the disappointing Helpston, though Pam Sly's charge can reverse Uttoxeter running in May with Downward Spiral on 5lb better terms. Majestic Mayhem is back in the right grade after pulling up at Cheltenham but this may be an insufficient test of stamina for the mare Maid In Moscow while Pennek has had plenty of chances. TIPTOEAWAY makes his debut over the larger obstacles but has always looked like a chaser in the making and could be worth a small interest here if the market speaks in his favour.
Majestic Mayhem (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Not fluent in rear, hit 9th, behind before 12th, pulled up after, in a race won by Traffic Article (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gf, 9 ran.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Led until 1st, jumped slowly next, soon led again, not fluent 4th, headed after 14th, weakening when hampered 4 out (water), tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Foxesbow (11-4) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jul.
Round Tom (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 5th, not fluent 6th, outpaced after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, hit last, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Ongenstown Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gf.
Maid In Moscow (IRE) 9-4 (12-1) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, drew well clear from 2 out, driven out final furlong, won at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Chico Time (11-5) by 8l, 6 ran.
Cloudy Too (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, challenged in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Time For Spring (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
Helpston 2-5fav (10-12) Tracked winner throughout, strong reminders from 9th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Downward Spiral (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Night Force 6-1 (10-11) Held up 4th and last, went moderate 3rd after 14th, stayed on to go 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Definite Dawn (10-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f beg chase (5) gs in Aug.
Pennek (FR) 28-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, weakened from 11th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Horsham Lad (10-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 15 ran.
Tiptoeaway (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Ultravox (10-10) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr, 10 ran.
