tracked leader, led 4th to 9th, weakened and pulled up before 13th
fell 1st
in touch, outpaced 12th, rallied 2 out, kept on no impression
in touch, outpaced halfway, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression
hampered 1st, behind, reminders 8th, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, kept on, no impression
in touch, left in lead 10th, headed before 12th, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, headway 10th, chased winner before 12th, ridden and kept on from 3 out
raced keenly and led, headed 4th, led again 9th, slipped badly and headed next, rallied 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, hampered 10th, led before 12th, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
soon behind, headway and in touch 12th, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off
Russian Sky can follow up on his win back in August at the expense of Black Chalk and Tomillielou. The selection was in winning action at Perth when getting the better of Lost In Normandy and as a result is ten pounds higher. That looks steep and it will not be an easy task to overcome but if putting in a personal best he can score once again. Black Chalk won an amateurs rider race at Perth before Christmas last year but has been lightly raced ever since. His jumping has often let him down and although he has the ability jumping is teh name of the game so is beat avioded for that reason. So for the winner we return to Russian Sky.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 13l behind Lofty Leader (10-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Aug.
Carndale (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hit 5th, weakened from 4 out, 11th of 14, 27l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
High Cotton (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 23, well behind Hot Weld (9-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Harlov (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 14, 10l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Somedo Somedont 4-1 (11-7) Led, mistake and headed 2 out, outpaced flat, 5th of 9, 17l behind First Cry (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Tomillielou 4-1fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4 out, stayed on go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 28l behind Panama At Once (10-3) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
No Picnic (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 13th, headway to lead 4 out, headed 2 out, driven and kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Black Chalk (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) fell in race won by Sorry Al (11-0) at Navan 2m 4f chs gf in Sept, 6 ran.
Russian Sky 5-2jt-fav (10-5) Prominent, blundered 7th, ridden 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on to lead flat, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug beating Lost In Normandy (10-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
King Bob (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 18, well behind Classic Croco (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 1f beg chs gf.
