tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear after last, eased towards finish
in rear, blundered and unseated rider 5th
led, pushed along before 6th, headed after 4 out, lost lost before 3 out, kept on same to regain 2nd place run-in, no chace with winner
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along before 6th, soon struggling, plugged on from 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 6th and 7th, chased winner before 3 out until run-in, no extra
Nonrunner
Competitive stuff with all six respected and RISKIER, adept on all ground types, is a tentative choice in receipt of weight all round. He has been hit with a 10lb punishment for an easy success at Hexham last time but is progressing well over the larger obstacles and is worth a chance upped to this class for the first time. Anything that Peter Bowen runs at present warrants close inspection and Strumble Head is interesting as he's sent straight into handicap company after a single novice chase outing when scoring at Ffos Las. The top four look more exposed, with Nobunaga making most appeal of the quartet despite joint topweight as he's having a really solid season for Venetia Williams.
Nobunaga 11-4 (10-11) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 8th, ridden between last 2, kept on and every chance last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Passato (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Held up, always behind, 6th of 9, 23l behind Constant Contact (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f Ladies Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs.
Carrietau 11-2 (11-7) Led, headed after 6th, pushed along before 7th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Harry Flashman (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Strumble Head (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 4th, headed 4 out, hung left from 3 out, soon weakened, left 2nd 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jun beating Mike Towey (10-12) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Riskier 15-8fav (11-6) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, clear before last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jun beating Crackerjack Lad (10-6) by 14l, 7 ran.
Bhaltair (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Rajnagan (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
