jumped boldly, led set strong pace and soon clear, clever when wrong 4 out (water), reduced lead next, pushed along and headed on long run after the last, no extra
always off the pace in 3rd, no chance from 3 out
chased (clear) leader, closer 3 out, led going well on long run after the last, soon clear, easily
always off the pace disputing 3rd until jumped left 4 out, tailed off
Wisty looked so impressive around here when rattling up a hat-trick last year but must have had issues subsequently. He's been seventh of eight, pulled up and tailed-off beaten 80l on his last three starts and it's best to see if there's any market support for him here being possibly getting involved. Nicolas Chauvin is another in search of form whereas Raise A Spark made a pleasing start to his chasing career with a comfortable success here in late-May. He'll surely improve further over the larger obstacles but OLIVER'S GOLD, who mixes hurdling and chasing, is a battle-hardened handicapper who remains in good form and Emma Todd, his regular partner nowadays, takes off a very useful 5lb. He is also a course and distance winner.
Wisty (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Disputed lead, left with clear advantage 6th, headed on long run before next, lost place 5 out, behind from next, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Stynes (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Oliver's Gold 9-1 (11-2) Held up, behind 3rd, pushed along after 5th, headway 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 6, 7l behind Champagne At Tara (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Raise A Spark 5-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, led off last bend, clear towards finish, readily, won at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gd in May beating Birch Hill (11-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Nicolas Chauvin (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off 2 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Leapaway (10-8) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gf in Jul.