held up, headway approaching 5th, challenged 3 out until after 2 out, hanging right last, one pace in 3rd flat
held up in last, not fluent 1st, ridden and well beaten before 3 out, mistake 2 out
led until 3 out, 4th and weakening next
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out
took keen hold, pressed leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner
close up on inside, lost place after 4th, pushed along and outpaced after next, well beaten from 3 out
held up in 6th, closed 5th, challenged from 3 out, led 2 out, pushed clear flat, easily
Nonrunner
El Macca makes his handicap debut off a fair mark but is facing three in-form rivals. Kayfton Pete sprang a surprise over course and distance last month but may struggle off today's mark. Minella Hero is less exposed and should build on his victory at Southwell but he would only have been second had the leader not crashed out at the second-last. GOING CONCERN (NAP) has been flying over fences and looks very well treated back over hurdles. He can complete the hat-trick, though the returning Storm Of Swords is worth a market check as his yard can ready them at home.
El Macca (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Keen early, mid-division on inside, chased leading pair before 3 out (usual 4 out), soon outpaced, stayed on to take moderate 2nd after last (usual 2 out), no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 14, 17l behind Blue Heron (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Worldor (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, struggling 5 out, no chance when ridden after next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Nearest The Pin (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Storm Of Swords (IRE) 2-1 (10-13) Chased leading pair, went 2nd well before 4 out, ridden and every chance last, one pace into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Such A Legend (10-8) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Mont Royale 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Osgood (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
Kayfton Pete 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 5th, closed 2 out, mistake last, stayed on, led close home, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep beating The Kvilleken (10-9) by nk, 10 ran.
Going Concern (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, led next, not fluent last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep beating Lysino (11-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Taaresh (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 5th, no extra last, 6th of 10, 11l behind Kayfton Pete (11-0) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Minella Hero (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, remained close up, ridden before 2 out, held in 2nd when left in lead 2 out and soon clear, won at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Gin And Tonic (10-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
