in rear, slow 4th, soon struggling, never a factor
held up in touch, under pressure 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, hit 8th, effort 3 out, soon one pace
led until 4 out, driven when hit next, stayed on under pressure, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway when jumped right 9th, chased leaders 4 out, never on terms
raced in rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 2 out, kept on, never nearer
held up in touch, mistake 6th, behind next
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up after 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, soon chasing leaders, led 4 out, soon clear, eased down after last, impressive
always in rear, slow 3rd, under pressure 5th, soon behind
King Edmund should make a bold bid from the front but this looks a good deal tougher than the races that he's been winning and preference is for OISEAU DE NUIT. Colin Tizzard's charge unseated in the Cheltenham handicap in which You're The Top finished fourth but he had run a big race up to that point and will appreciate being dropped back in trip. You're The Top is entitled to come on for his reappearance and has leading claims whilst Irish challenger Sizing Africa shaped well on just his second run in as many years and is a fascinating contender. Panjo Bere looks weighted to the hilt but his promising amateur's claim will help and the gelding has a good record at the track and should have the race run to suit so rates highly.
Panjo Bere (FR) 28-1 (11-6) Towards rear, fell 12th (canal turn), in a race won by Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Apr, 27 ran.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway on outside from 10th, chasing leaders when not fluent 12th, ridden and weakened to 9th when badly hampered and unseated rider after 2 out, in a race won by Edgbriar (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd, 17 ran.
King Edmund 11-4 (11-8) Raced keenly, made all, hit 3 out, driven before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd in Apr beating Postmaster (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Jumped right, led, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 5th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 26l behind Nearby (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
You're The Top (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway 12th, disputing close 3rd 2 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 17, 7l behind Edgbriar (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd at 3rd, left chasing winner and slightly hampered 5th, pushed along before 2 out, driven and hung right behind winner between last 2, no impression from last, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind King Edmund (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Sizing Africa (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Always prominent, led from 3rd, pressed approaching 3 out, headed under pressure before next, soon no impression, kept on one pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Jigalo (10-4) at Gowran Park 2m 1f chs.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Chased winner, beaten approaching 4 out, 2nd of 3, 18l behind Bergo (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Safari Journey (USA) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader to 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace under pressure from next, no impression with leading pair, last of 3, 9l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Nikola (FR) 11-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, switched right after last, stayed on, held by winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Oneway (11-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
