chased leaders, challenged 8th, led 4 out, long at last and rider lost iron briefly, clear flat, easily
chased leaders on outside, jumped left 6th, closed next, went 2nd 3 out until last, no impression on winner
held up in last pair, took keen hold, headway 9th, went 2nd last, no impression on winner
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, stumbled next, well in touch before 4 out, no extra 2 out
led until 1st, chased leader, weakened before 4 out
led 1st, headed 4 out, no extra 2 out
NonRunner
HANG IN THERE (NAP) has predictably been raised up the handicap for his win at Stratford but he jumped competently and appears capable of defying the steadier of top weight today. Francky Du Berlais was a little disappointing in the Summer Plate and has had a couple of runs over hurdles in the meantime while La Domaniale was also well beaten at Market Rasen. Topofthecotswolds is in off a winnable mark at present though his jumping isn’t always the most fluent. Kauto The King races from out of the handicap but a recent wind surgery appears to have worked and he cannot be dismissed from the equation.
Hang In There (IRE) 16-5 (12-0) Towards rear, headway 10th, went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, driven flat, stayed on gamely, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Noahthirtytwored (11-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and went second approaching last, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Sebastopol (12-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
La Domaniale (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closed when not fluent 10th, led before 4 out, headed before last, soon 3rd and beaten, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 12 3/4l behind Hang In There (12-0) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Hatcher (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, closed 5th, mistake 3 out, lost place 2 out, 4th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Al Zaraqaan (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chased winner, not always fluent, mistake 3 out, 3rd and no impression on winner before last, kept on, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Brief Times (12-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Kauto The King (FR) 9-2 (10-2) Close up, led after 4th, headed 9th, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on well to lead run-in, just held on, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Romanor (10-2) by shd, 4 ran.
Fix At All (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Prominent, ridden along after 7th, soon outpaced, dropped to rear after 2 out, no extra, last of 8, 31 3/4l behind Sebastopol (12-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
