made all, pressed from 5th until 8th, drew well clear approaching last, easily
held up, jumped left and rider lost iron briefly 3rd, continued to jump left, behind from 7th, no chance when mistake last
tracked winner, went upsides from 5th until hit 8th, lost 2nd 2 out, soon beaten
held up and behind, tailed off from 6th
held up in rear, headway 7th, went 3rd and hit 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 8th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, went 3rd after 4 out, chased winner and jumped left 2 out, no impression approaching last
chased leaders until ridden and lost place 4 out, no danger after
held up towards rear, behind from 8th
held up and behind, mistake 5th, well behind 7th, never near leaders
A fascinating clash between the Arkle 1-2-3 Contraband, Ashley Brook and River City, with Ashley Brook appealing at the likely odds. There are several others that merit consideration for at least future reference, especially War Of Attrition, who failed to sparkle at Cheltenham for whatever reason. He will be dangerous to rule out on this flatter track. Mouse Morris's six-year-old acts well with give underfoot and there is surely better to come from him. Watch the market for clues. River City is also a horse with a very bright future and, having already had the measure of Contraband at this course, he is obviously respected. The Arkle will have sharpened him up a lot and he too will be very hard to ignore if there is plenty of interest in the betting for him. That is not to take anything away from Contraband, who was a worthy winner last month and has done very little wrong since he switched to fences. However, Ashley Brook was making him pull out all the stops three weeks ago and, if his jumping hold together near the finish on this occasion, he can represent great value to turn the tables today.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 20-1 Led, ridden after 2 out, headed when stumbled last, not much room and switched right flat, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 1l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Contraband 7-1 Held up, headway 7th, led and hung left last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar beating Ashley Brook by 1l, 19 ran.
Dempsey (IRE) 4-1co-fav Leaders, went 2nd and not fluent 7th (water), led before 3 out, in command after 2 out, pushed clear run-in, readily, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (C) gs in Mar beating Mambo by 4l, 6 ran.
Pennys From Heaven 8-1 Keen, disputed 2nd, chased winner from 9th, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Andreas at Taunton 2m beg chs (D) gf in Mar.
River City (IRE) 10-1 Held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching last, hung left and one pace last, 3rd of 19, 5l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Saintsaire (FR) 4-6fav Left in lead 1st, headed 3rd, led again 4 out, shaken up after last, readily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (C) gd in Mar beating Brown Teddy by 2l, 4 ran.
War Of Attrition (IRE) 11-4fav Chased leaders, pecked 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 19, 14l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Made In Japan (JPN) 16-1 Behind, mistake 9th, kept on approaching last, never dangerous, 8th of 19, 20l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 100-1 Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 19, 46l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Parknasilla 2-1fav Mid-division, mistake 5th, blundered badly and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Stormy Lord at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (B) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
My Will (FR) 12-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway when hit 2 out, kept on flat, 5th of 19, 7l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
