in touch in mid-division, closed 5th, 3rd and outpaced when mistake 4 out, weakened after last
held up, in touch before 6th, lost place next, closed when not fluent 9th or 10th, soon struggling, well beaten from 4 out, tailed off
chased leader, slow 1st, lost 2nd 3rd, stayed handy, outpaced 4 out, modest 4th after last
held up in rear, well behind 8th, headway when mistake 3 out, never any chance but looked liked challenging for minor placings after last
led until after 8th, led 4 out, clear after last, very easily
mid-division, lost place before 3rd, behind after 8th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 3rd, led after 8th, headed when not fluent 4 out, no impression on winner after last, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, 2nd 3rd until 6th, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, mistake 2 out, modest 3rd after last
SMART RULER did not run badly on chasing debut here when staying on late to land third spot. He'll be more streetwise over larger obstacles after that run and can reverse placings with second that day, Bedford Forrest, who has far more experience over fences in the hunter chase and point-to-point spheres. The latter is shortlist material along with Flying Eagle, a prolific winner between the flags this year but who found the transition into open handicap company too much at Market Rasen. He should be much more at home in novice company and is respected. Black Jack Rover, a fair novice back in 2015, returns after a long absence to tackle fences and Clondaw Banker isn't ruled out on second start for the yard after leaving Nicky Henderson.
Bedford Forrest (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden 2 out, went 2nd on last bend, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Verona Opera (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Jun.
Black Jack Rover (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Tracked winner, not fluent 8th, pecked 3 out, driven next, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Towering (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gf in Jul.
Clondaw Banker (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 9th and lost place, well beaten 3 out, 10th of 12, 35 1/4l behind Tangolan (11-10) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Flycorn (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after last, one pace before last bend, no extra, 5th of 7, 13 1/2l behind Verona Opera (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Jun.
Flying Eagle (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Ran in snatches, chased winner until jumped slowly 1st, chased leaders, lost place and dropped to last pair 4th, last and struggling next, rallied into 3rd after 4 out until hit 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 26 1/4l behind Shady Glen (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Here Comes Love (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) In rear, behind 4th, tailed off 7th, nearly a fence behind 13th, pulled up after, at Perth 3m (4) gd in Jul.
Noble Call (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Led, headed 3 out, soon lost place, 6th of 8, 23 3/4l behind Overtoujay (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Smart Ruler (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 1st, some headway 3 out, stayed on after last bend, went 3rd close home, no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Verona Opera (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Jun.
