pressed leader, led narrowly 3 out, drew clear on bit between last 2, unextended
reluctantly led and set slow pace, headed narrowly 3 out, lost place after next, no chance with front pair before last
tacked leaders in 4th, ridden and dropped to rear after 2 out, plugged on to regain moderate 4th last, no chance with leaders
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up detached in rear, some headway into 4th after 2 out, no chance with leaders, weakened last
Prior to justifying short odds on his hurdling debut at Southwell, MULLIGAN'S MAN had won a point-to-point and a bumper and looks to face a straightforward task here. Donald McCain could easily saddle a 1-2 as I'm A Gangster has shown signs of ability but needs to improve his jumping. None of the others look capable of causing an upset.
Mulligan's Man (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, driven 3 out, led next, ridden 2 lengths clear approaching last, ran on flat, won at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul beating Sarah Collins (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bampton Becks 250-1 (11-0) Mid-division, struggling 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Awaywiththegreys (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jun.
Gift From The Gods (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, driven after 4 out, weakened next, 11th of 14, well behind Wayward Glance (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Logical Approach (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Mid-division and keen, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 46l behind Jasper Massini (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Glorybelucky 66-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly at times, lost place 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Moulin De La Croix (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jun, 7 ran.
I'm A Gangster (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Robbie (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.