held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, no impression
chased leader, led and hit 2nd, hit 5th, headed 6th, in 3rd and pushed along when fell 5 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, lost 2nd approaching and hit last, no extra
always towards rear
held up, mistake 7th, never dangerous
always towards rear
held up in rear, not fluent, soon niggled along, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms
in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, weakened from 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 9th, led 11th, clear approahcing 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, never dangerous
always behind, pulled up before last
held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
led to 2nd, led again 6th, headed 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
An interesting handicap chase where we will take a chance on ZITENKA, while Osako D'Airy and Saunders Road are among others with chances. The selection has won twice at similar trips in his native Ireland and won a novices' chase at Killarney earlier in the year. He has since moved to Tim Easterby, who wouldn't be too worried that he was well beaten at Hexham on his recent reappearance. The yard is in good nick and he is unexposed over fences, so might surprise them here. Osako D'Airy has joined Paul Nicholls since last turning out for Steve Gollings in March. The master trainer will surely have been able to find a bit of improvement from the six-year-old, who switches back to fences, but he surely have to be nearly at the top of his game to defy topweight first time out. Saunders Road has trip and ground to suit and looks on a very competitive mark so he can't be ruled out. Captain Marlon may have more to come if his jumping holds up, while The Hollow Bottom has gone up a stiff enough 15lb for winning this last year and won't find it easy. Runshan is another subjected to a hefty hike, but with still only a feather weight to carry he can't be dismissed, though preference is for Zitenka.
Osako D'airy (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Led, headed after 3rd, remained prominent until weakened 2 out, 12th of 13, well behind Ignotus (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Genghis (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Prominent, pecked 1st, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 33l behind Jazz Dance (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Rustarix (FR) 7-1co-fav (11-6) Mid-division, slightly hampered 3rd, headway 12th, close up when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 7l behind Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Zitenka (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 11th, no impression from 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 10, well behind According To Pete (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, mistake, hampered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Endless Power (10-3) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Anglican (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Companero (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Gold Heart (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear when fell at the 4th in race won by Victor Daly (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.
Cantgeton (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) In touch, headway 5 out, ridden 4 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 11, 13l behind Glingerbank (10-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Sparkling Taff 3-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, led 4 out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr beating Chopneyev (11-7) by 8l, 11 ran.
The Hollow Bottom 9-2 (9-10) Chased leader, led 12th, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd beating Ice Melted (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Saunders Road (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, pushed along 11th, headway next, narrow lead 2 out, soon hard driven, all out flat, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Fieldsofclover (10-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Prominent until fell at the 4th in race won by Livingonaknifedge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 4-1co-fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 11, 10l behind Nice Try (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Runshan (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, led 4 out, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) sft beating Teenando (10-3) by 12l, 9 ran.
Noble Bily (FR) 16-1 (11-8) In rear when badly hampered and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Deuteronomy (9-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Apr, 8 ran.
