held up in touch, mistake 8th, mistake 4 out, led after 2 out, ridden out
held up in touch, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, led after 8th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out
chased leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened from 10th
mid-division, weakened from 5 out
always towards rear, struggling from 8th
led, headed after 8th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, struggling from 8th, pulled up before 4 out, tailed off
Tidal Bay is a progressive sort and he can win again here; the list of dangers is headed by Mr Strachan and Top Cloud. The selection was useful over hurdles and he made a very favourable impression over fences at Aintree last time when he beat Albertas Run. He is sure to strip fitter and improve plenty for that experience and he is difficult to oppose. Mr Strachan ran a blinder on his chasing debut when he was second behind the well-regarded L¿Antartique. He should be the one to profit if the selection fails to fire. Top Cloud is making his chasing debut here and he has certainly shaped as though the switch to the bigger obstacles would suit. However, he has been off the track since May and he will probably be sharper for the run. Brave Rebellion could prove best of the others, but Tidal Bay could be a different class to these and he is taken to score.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed after 8th, led again 11th, not fluent when clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Albertas Run (11-8) by 22l, 5 ran.
Brave Rebellion 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 5th, hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 17, 23l behind Eden Linty (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Double Eagle 4-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden, weakened flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Tracked leader, headway to join leader 5 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind L'Antartique (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f int chs (3) gd.
Panthers Run 100-1 (11-0) Led to 6th, led again 8th to 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 35l behind Here's Johnny (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Top Cloud (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, headway to chase winner approaching last, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Brickies Mate (11-1) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gd in May.
Surricate (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, lost place approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by That's Rhythm (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
The Last Turn 66-1 (10-6) Chased leader, led 7th to 9th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Midnight Gunner (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (5) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Tipp Mid West (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) In rear, stayed on from last, no impression, 6th of 8, 3l behind Crofton Arch (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in May.
