with leader, led 2nd, headed 6th, remained close up, weakened before 9th
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 6th, clear before 2 out, eased run-in
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, chased winner from 8th until 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, soon reminders, went 3rd from 3 out, one pace from next
held up behind, mistake 6th, blundered 7th, soon weakened
in rear, blundered 1st, outpaced from 8th, headway before 2 out, chased winer soon after, kept on and no impression
held up mid-division, reminders before 8th, soon outpaced
HENRY SAN was a lucky winner on his chasing bow at Stratford as the clear leader fell at the last but he'll have learned from the experience and should again beat fourth Marchand D'argent on 4lb worse terms. We'll give Alan King's novice the nod though Carleton Place arrives in fine form and will make a bold bid to defy his penalty. Kikos is usually thereabouts and Humbel Ben looked much improved when beating Take Of Shoc'S over C&D on his reappearance. He makes more appeal than Benefique and Silver Roque, who are up against race-fit rivals.
Benefique (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 3 out, 2nd and ran wide on downhill run approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Lend A Hand Son (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chase gf in Jun.
Silver Roque (FR) 10-3fav (10-12) In rear, behind 5th, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Unforgettable (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Kikos (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, every chance 2 out, 3rd and no extra last, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Intac (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Aug.
Henry San (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, disputing 5 lengths 2nd when hampered and left in lead last, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep beating Farleigh House (11-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Marchand D'argent (FR) 11-1 (11-12) In touch, mistake 3rd, hit 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened 2 out, mistake and left 4th last, 4th of 9, 15l behind Henry San (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Humbel Ben (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Held up, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly run in to lead close home, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Aug beating Take Of Shoc's (11-10) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Carleton Place (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 3 lengths 2nd when left in lead and hampered 2 out, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Sep beating Pumboo (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.