held up in rear, headway 13th, chased winner next, hit 4 out, well held before 2 out
held up, mistakes, headway on outside 8th, reminder after 11th, weakened 14th, pulled up before 3 out
jumped right, tracked winner, lost 2nd 14th, no impression when hit 4 out, weakened before next, bad mistake last, tailed off
made all, clear 4 out, unchallenged
tracked leaders on outside, lost place after 11th, well behind from next, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, hampered 3rd, lost place before next, headway after 11th, weakened from 13th, jumped slowly last, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, hung right after 15th, weakened approaching 2 out
Russian War was pulled up here in April but is still relatively unexposed over fences. Thanks For Coming beat The Musical Guy in a novices' chase at Towcester last month but there may not be much between the pair on today's terms. Bescot Springs has been frustrating to follow and Fakenham specialist That's The Deal is likely to find this too tough under a penalty but An Capall Mor could figure if fully wound-up. GULLIBLE GORDON was fifth in the Topham Chase here in April and has been placed twice since over longer trips - he looks the one to beat in this off his current lenient mark.
Russian War (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, reminders before 14th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Thanks For Coming 9-4 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, mistake 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, led last, ran on well, won at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in May beating The Musical Guy (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Musical Guy (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Led, ridden after 2 out, headed and not fluent last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Thanks For Coming (10-12) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Gullible Gordon (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) In touch in mid-division, headway 9th, close up from 12th, led 16th, headed 4 out, led again 2 out, headed before home bend, soon beaten, one pace, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Posh Bird (10-0) at Cartmel 3m 6f Handicap Chase (0-130) (10yo+) (3) sft in May.
An Capall Mor (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) With leaders, soon tracked leaders in 3rd until after 6th, pushed along and weakened after 9th, soon tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind What A Warrior (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Oct.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, jumped slowly 8th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 9, 3l behind Settledoutofcourt (10-0) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
That's The Deal (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd after next, closed last, led flat, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd beating The Black Baron (11-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
