held up, mistake 5 out, headway approaching next, weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, one pace and in 3rd, looking held when hampered last, kept on
held up, pushed along 7 out, ridden 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before last
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, staying on when left 3rd last, kept on
tracked leader, blundered 4th, weakened from 3 out
tracked winner, fell 2nd
made all, left clear from last
held up in touch, unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, left 2nd after last, weakened towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
held up mid-division, tracked leaders 8th, chased winner after 2 out, 1 length down in 2nd and staying on when fell last
ABRAGANTE is the call with Isn't That Lucky and Craiglands others on the shortlist. A switch to Peter Monteith's yard appears to have worked the oracle for the former David Pipe inmate. He achieved figures of 140+ over hurdles and while it does not follow that he can directly translate that ability; if his jumping stands up to examination he should be up to it. Isn't That Lucky is likely to be a warm order with the punters. His second in the Jewson at Cheltenham is the best recent form on offer. Craiglands represents a yard that have enjoyed success under both codes during the calendar year. He is lightly raced and has to come into the category of the unexposed. Frankie Figg has not been seen out since falling in the Topham. Saintsaire achieved plenty when trained by Paul Nicholls though it remains to be seen as to what he will find for Alex Hales. Camden George appears likely to try and set the fractions. Lucinda Russell has done well with her runners at Aintree in the past so it would be folly to dismiss Et Maintenant too readily.The Hollow Bottom makes little appeal on recent form figures but he has reserved his best for Merseyside in the past and any market move is noted. Abragante is taken to land the spoils.
Isn't That Lucky 4-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Carlisle 2m 5f nov stks (3) gd in Apr beating Logans Run (10-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Abragante (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, stayed on to lead flat, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul beating He's A Hotshot (10-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Saintsaire (FR) 18-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 9, 30l behind Santa's Son (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Sou'wester 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, bumped 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 31l behind Lord Jay Jay (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
The Hollow Bottom 33-1 (10-0) In touch, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 29, well behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Rightway Star (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Made most until not fluent 9th, chased leader to 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 46l behind Tempsford (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Led until fell 10th (Bechers Brook), in a race won by Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Camden George (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led, headed 4th, led again 8th until headed 12th, hit 4 out and 3 out and weakened from approaching last, 6th of 9, 27l behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov stks (2) gd in Mar.
Craiglands (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Behind, headway 3 out, never on terms, 3rd of 12, 16l behind De Soto (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Et Maintenant (FR) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out, no danger after, 5th of 8, 25l behind Major Miller (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Tarabaloo 9-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch, effort when hit 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind King Troy (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Apr.
