held up in close 3rd after making mistake 2nd, mistake 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, driven and 2 lenghts down last, stayed on under pressure to lead last stride
jumped right, led until 6th, led after 7th until mistake 14th, weakened after 3 out, eased from next
raced keenly, with leader from 2nd, led 6th until after next, led 14th, not fluent 2 out, ridden flat, headed last stride
Disappointingly just the four runners go to post for this novices' chase and every one of the quartet has claims but Nicky Henderson's THE SHOE created a favourable impression when making a winning start to his chasing career at Uttoxeter last month, beating I Need A Hero by 10 lengths, and he can follow up here. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in fine form so the experienced Diablo has to be respected but he is likely to have to settle for minor honours. Tim Vaughan's Mission Control won well first time up over fences at Market Rasen recently but this is tougher, while Pilgrims Lane has struggled in handicaps of late and is likely to do so here in giving weight away to his rivals.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, weakened from 10th, last of 8, well behind Rockiteer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Diablo (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 24l behind Circus Of Dreams (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in May.
The Shoe (NZ) 10-11fav (11-0) Pressed leader, led 9th, ridden and hung left approaching last, hung left and drew clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Jul beating I Need A Hero (11-0) by 10l, 5 ran.
Mission Control (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) Tracked leading pair, mistake 4th, not fluent after, pushed along 4 out, closed before 3 out, left close 2nd when mistake last, driven to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd beating Walamo (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
