chased leaders, pushed along in 4th and outpaced after 8th, no threat after
chased leaders, outpaced and lost place approaching 6th, rallied 8th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
always towards rear, never on terms
chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened after 8th, struggling in 5th and no chance when mistake 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, weakened approaching 6th
led, hit 4th, headed 6th, pushed along and weakened approaching next, tailed off, blundered last
held up, headway chasing leaders 7th, 2nd after 8th, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd next, kept on same pace in 3rd
keen in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, good headway to lead 6th, mistake next, mistake 3 out, clear when edged left run-in, driven out
towards rear, pushed along after 5th, moderate late headway
Classic Palace won at Hexham and Cartmel in the summer but was beaten 26 lengths on his last visit to the track and might just struggle here under his penalty. Similar concerns surround Tickenwolf while Jonniesofa makes his debut under Rules having won a couple of times between the flags. WESTERN MILLER can get Charlie Longsdon's raiding party off to a winning start as he's bred to stay this sort of trip and jump hurdles. He only found one too good in a couple of bumpers at Worcester and probably needed the run on both occasions.
Classic Palace (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leader to 3 out, outpaced next, soon no chance with front pair, tailed off, 3rd of 5, 25 1/2l behind Highpower (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) gd in Aug.
Tickenwolf (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, no impression after last, 6th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Stags Leap (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Black Kettle (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, in touch in rear trio, 3rd and no impression when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Atlantic Gold (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Ethan (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, lost place from 3 out, 6th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Sindarban (11-10) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Great Anticipation (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling 7th, soon tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Samedi Soir (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Hope For Glory 33-1 (11-0) Led, joined 4th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, dist behind Altruism (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Jul.
Jonniesofa (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Ld, 2l 1dv 1/2way, hdd 2out, eff to regain adv bef last, ko best flat, won at Kilmallock 3m gs in Apr beating Deans Road (12-2) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Parlour Of Dreams (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway before 4 out, weakened before last, 8th of 9, 24l behind Sindarban (11-10) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Western Miller (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, chased leader over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Wholestone (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Sep.
Massini's Lady 25-1 (10-5) Outpaced in rear, under pressure halfway, stayed on from over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Emperor Sakhee (11-3) at Hexham 2m (6) gd in Apr.