held up, headway chasing leaders approaching 7th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, outpaced before next, left in modest 4th at the last
headway to track leader approaching 1st, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, chased leader, every chance when fell last
held up in last pair, never a factor, tailed off
held up, mistake 3rd, headway when hampered 4 out, left 3rd at the last, kept on into 2nd in closing stages
chased leader until approaching 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until 4 out, chased leaders, left close 2nd at the last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, weakened into 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, hampered 4 out, headway on outside approaching 3 out, no impression when left in modest 5th last
led until 2nd, chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, pushed along when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 4 out
ran in snatches, in touch on inside, weakened 3 out
Too Many Chiefs stayed on strongly to land a 2m6f handicap on good ground at Kelso in April and ran very well on a return visit under a big weight last month, though wouldn't want the ground to ease further. Reivers Lodge had been running well before getting off the mark at Kelso where he had a bit in hand, though a 9lb rise looks harsh. NATIVE OPTIMIST acts in any conditions and though a massive 11lb higher for his very easy victory at Hexham can go in again as that was a Class 3 handicap and he's taking a drop in grade. Royal Salute, a promising chaser, has changed yards since falling at Uttoxeter in April and may just need this.
Another Mattie (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) With leader, led before 6 out, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Royal Salute 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 10th, mistake next, 3rd when fell 12th, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Native Optimist (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, outpaced after next, led before last, ran on well (3 hurdles omitted), won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Oct beating Total Assets (11-9) by 13l, 8 ran.
Chicoria (IRE) 16-1 (12-7) (bl) prom til wknd 15; t.o, 7th of 13, dist behind Always Tipsy (12-0) at Alnwick 3m gs in Feb.
Too Many Chiefs (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Buckled (12-3) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Reivers Lodge 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd from 5 out, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Chapel Stile (11-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Southsea Island (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Slanelough (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Spoils Of War (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Chased leader, ridden before 4 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Rivabodiva (11-9) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Secret Approach (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 4th, not fluent 1st, dropped to 6th from 4th and 7th before 5 out, not fluent next, pushed along in 6th before 3 out and soon no impression, kept on past beaten horses to go moderate 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, dist behind Floramar (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 5f mdn Soft - Heavy in Sep.
