held up in touch, blundered 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakening when blundered last
held up in rear, hit 6th, never dangerous
always towards rear, struggling from 7th
held up, ridden and weakened 7th
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, mistake 3 out, kept on from last
chased leader to 7th, ridden and weakened when not fluent 8th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 6th, never dangerous
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
A number of in-form rivals on view here but we side with SO NOW against The Very Man and Dan Buoy. Paul Nicholls charge looks an out and out stayer and he duly obliged at Perth over an extended trip with the minimum of fuss. If he is fit enough on reappearance, he will take the beating. The Very Man is capable though frustrating. He is better over hurdles than fences and if in the mood, he has obvious claims. Dan Buoy ran well at Wetherby on his latest start. He is unproven under today's conditions so a note of caution is advised. Mortimers Cross loves the mud but historically tends to go well fresh so he has a little to prove on that score. Gunner Jack ran lamentably at Haydock last month and is much better than this line of form would indicate. Tagula Blue can run a little too free for his own good so he may find the step up to three miles unpalatable. Fair Question is tried in first time cheekpieces. This trip will take some getting and it's So Now that gets our vote.
Gunner Jack 8-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, well behind According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
So Now (IRE) 2-1fav (10-8) Held up, headway 4 out, led after next, hit 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, won at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr beating Giuliani (9-13) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dan Buoy (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on from after next, 3rd of 17, 7l behind Ballydub (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 4-5fav (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, remained in touch, not fluent 8th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and edged left flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Just Like That (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Fair Question (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Led and clear until headed 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 25l behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
The Very Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until 6th, soon driven along in rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th near finish, 4th of 9, 22l behind Cannon Fire (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Mortimers Cross 15-2 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway after 7th, chased leader approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Minella Boys (10-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Crofters Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, not fluent 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Solway Bee 16-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, weakened 9th, no chance when pulled up at the last in race won by Wogan (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 16 ran.
Archimboldo (USA) 18-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened 7th, 16th of 22, 32l behind Andytown (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
