tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 9th, in 7th and weakening when fell 2 out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, one pace from last
held up in touch, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well from last
led, soon clear until 7th, headed 2 out, kept on
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off from 3 out
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden 2 out, no impression
Midnight Gold has the best claims and can keep up the good work at the expense of Lady Roania and Flying Forme. Midnight Gold has won two of his four starts this term, the latest being over fences here last month. As a result his chase rating will rise again, so Alan King has put him back over timber, and off what looks a decent mark despite co-topweight, he must surely figure in the finish. Lady Roania was tailed off at Uttoxeter last time, but had caught the eye on more than one occasion earlier, and is dangerous to rule out, while Flying Forme was pulled up last time, but is another that cannot be ruled out on earlier evidence. Willywont He was a beaten favourite at Hexham last time but is also worth a small mention. However, it is Midnight Gold that is the pick.
Midnight Gold 7-4jt-fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 11th, ridden to lead next, not fluent last, just held on, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jul '06 beating Arm And A Leg (10-10) by a shd, 7 ran.
Toledo Sun 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6th, 16th of 18, well behind Kelv (10-11) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
Lady Roania (IRE) 6-1co-fav (11-2) Always behind, struggling 6th, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Ouh Jay (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jul.
Willywont He 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Mid-division, lost place and reminders 6th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Top The Bill (11-0) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Colourful Life (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Prominent, blundered 3rd, ridden and hung left approaching last, no danger after, 6th of 18, 11l behind Countback (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Gallant Hero 8-1 (12-0) Fell 4 out in race won by Longstone Boy (12-3) at Bonvilston 3m ptp gf in Apr, 7 ran.
Flying Forme (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, not fluent 3rd, struggling 8th, weakened after 9th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Blue Sovereign (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jul, 14 ran.
Little Task 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden and weakened from 8th, 8th of 11, 31l behind Naomh Aaron (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Bite Un Fight 33-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden after 5th, not fluent 6th, weakened 2 out, 14th of 18, well behind Ouh Jay (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jul.
Moonfleet (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In rear, lost touch 6th, jumped left 10th, 6th of 8, well behind Sultan Fontenaille (10-11) at Stratford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Jul.
