held up, steady headway approaching 8th, chased winner approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3rd, weakened 7th
held up, behind 5th, pushed along 8th, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
made all, jumped right from 4th, clear 6th, unchallenged
chased winner, bumped 1st, lost 2nd 4th, ridden and weakened 6th
chased leaders, chased winner 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, no chance from 7th
took keen hold, held up in touch, weakened 6th, pecked 7th
prominent, chased winner 4th to 6th, weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, bumped 1st, mistake 3rd, behind from 5th
chased leaders until mistake and unseated rider 2nd
Dancewiththedevil is the suggestion here in the hope that he can improve on the form that he has shown over fences to date. A Sea Commander broke his duck with a game performance over course and distance and has the beating of Shire on that evidence although it was the latter's chase bow. The winner is 5lbs higher and worth taking on. Kirby's Vic has proved inconsistent but has the ability to win, Chamarhal may improve for the fitting of cheekpieces whilst Vibe was well held in a seller last time. Teenando hasn't shown a great deal over hurdles but may improve for the switch to jumping fences but we'll take a chance with the Roberts runner. This is his first run over fences for his new yard having failed to make an impression in three previous attempts. He's been running consistently over hurdles this year, won a claimer well enough last time and Dancewiththedevil may be able to follow up over the larger obstacles.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, shaken up to lead flat, ran on, won at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf in Jun beating Mendip Dane (10-10) by 3l, 11 ran.
Charmahal (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Always in rear, headway 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 9l behind Very Cool (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Shire (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Keen, headway after 8th, ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 10l behind A Sea Commander (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Vibe 11-2 (11-6) Held up, headway 7th, ridden when mistake 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Star of Germany (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in Jun.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-4) Hampered 1st, in touch, chased leaders 6th to 5 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 4th of 6, 35l behind Art Virginia (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
Pinkerton Mill 20-1 (11-2) Held up, always towards rear, 9th of 14, 45l behind Craughwell Suas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Always Baileys (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Towards rear, stayed on from 4 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Oreli (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Tayman (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Fifth Column (USA) 25-1 (12-0) (tt) in tch to 13; t.o & pulled up in race won by Parsifal (12-0) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp frm in May, 10 ran.
Oakley Absolute 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Los Suenos (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f chs (5) gf in Jun.
A Sea Commander (GER) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden 3 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun beating Mycenean Prince (9-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Teenando (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, mid-division 5th, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 10, well behind Recovery Man (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
