held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, not fluent 3 out, outpaced next, not clear run after last, stayed on, went 3rd final 150 yards
held up towards rear, headway 7th, went 2nd final bend, no impression on winner
chased leaders, led after 6th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, not much room 2nd, never involved
prominent, lost place after 2nd, well behind before 4 out, tailed off
led until 2nd, soon led again, headed 5th, jumped right and ridden 8th, weakened after last
in rear, mistake and weakened 7th, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, led 2nd, soon headed, led 5th until after next, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened after last
in touch in mid-division, closed after 2nd, led 2 out, driven clear before final bend, stayed on well
in touch on inside, not fluent 4th, mistake 2 out, went 2nd after last until final bend, weakened inside final 150 yards
held up towards rear, blundered 2nd, in rear after, pulled up after 6th
This is a competitive renewal but last year’s winner ARDERA CROSS (NAP) and Wells De Lune, successful 12 months earlier, are back for more. The former makes most appeal as he will relish a return to fences after two runs over hurdles this summer and he’s back on a winning mark. Demi Sang was an easy winner here a little under a year ago and is back on the same mark while two of Tonto's Spirit’s three victories in chases have come on this track. Yccs Portocervo is the least exposed but was all out to score over a longer trip last time at Uttoxeter and is 4lb higher here. Northern Beau might need this but she is a talented mare on her day and can’t be left out of calculations.
Chesterfield (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Holy Kingdom (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Demi Sang (FR) 12-1 (11-13) Held up and always in rear, never a factor, last of 7, dist behind Craigmor (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Wells De Lune (FR) 66-1 (11-8) Led until 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Front rank early, settled on the inner after the 3rd, lost ground before 4 out and soon detatched, 5th of 7, dist behind Solar Impulse (10-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Tonto's Spirit 17-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 12, 31 1/2l behind Isaac Wonder (10-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Northern Beau (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Led 2nd until 7th, led 11th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Clondaw Castle (11-7) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Signifiant (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, never involved, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Cornerstone Lad (12-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Led until before 3rd, chased leader, hit 5th, lost 2nd 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Pammi (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
King Alfonso 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, led after 9th until hit 11th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Imperial Presence (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Yccs Portocervo (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and lost place before 4 out, closed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon not much room and switched right, went 2nd and jumped right last, stayed on under strong pressure, led close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Beni Light (10-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Court Royale (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led next, driven clear flat, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Atlantic Storm (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
