led until narrowly headed 4th, chased leader, led again 10th until 15th, chased leader until after 17th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led 4th until 10th, led again 15th, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd
tracked leading pair, reminder 6th, dropped to rear at 9th, struggling 13th, pulled up before next
held up in touch in 5th, closer order 8th, went 2nd briefly 14th until slow next, lost place and blundered 16th, rallied next, led narrowly 3 out, pressed soon after, joined last, driven and stayed on flat, headed close home
held up last but in touch, steady headway 4 out, chased leader next, soon challenging, stayed on well from last, driven ahead close home
tracked leading tro, went 3rd at 6th, challenged 17th until 4 out, soon weakened
This is Orion Star's first run away from Fontwell this year and his hat-trick bid floundered off this mark last time. He is worth taking on here with SKIPPER'S LAD, who may appreciate Joe Tizzard's stronger handling after downing tools under a claimer at Newton Abbot last time. he's run well around here in the past. El Diego may still have a bit of scope over fences but, like top weight Lavenoak Lad and Tinalliat, returns from a break here while Mr Demister has yet to show any worthwhile form under Rules.
Lavenoak Lad 9-2 (10-12) Prominent early, 4th when not fluent 3rd, last from 8th but still in touch, pulled up after 13th, in a race won by Estates Recovery (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
Orion Star (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up, jumped slowly 4th, ridden in last 6th, closed 11th, not fluent next, outpaced 14th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Definite Dawn (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-115) (4yo+) (4) gd in Sep.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) In touch in rear until ridden with a circuit to go, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Simply Strong (10-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
El Diego (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 11th, headed after 3 out, left in lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Marigolds Way (11-5) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in May.
Mr Demister 28-1 (10-8) Disputed 2nd, pecked 9th, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Henri Prends Garde (11-4) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Tinalliat (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Legends Lass (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
