tracked leader, not fluent 6th, close up and every chance when fell 2 out
close up in 3rd on outside, left 2nd 2 out, poised to challenge after last, pushed into lead inside final furlong, kept on, always doing enough
led, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden, hard pressed after last, headed inside final furlong, kept on but no match for winner
held up in rear, lost touch 9th, tailed off when left 3rd 2 out,
NonRunner
Dear Sire was all out to hold off subsequent Newton Abbot third Applesandpierres on his chasing debut here last month. He’s 6lb worse off now but does have more scope than Sophie Leech’s 10-year-old. DIEG MAN won four times over hurdles but has always looked the type to make a better chaser and he may be more at home over this trip than Donald McCain’s grey. Fair Exchange was placed in a hunter chase here in May and not disgraced last time at Uttoxeter but will find easier opportunities than this.
Dear Sire (FR) 1-2fav (11-9) Raced keenly, soon tracking leader, led on long run after last, soon ridden, held on gamely, all out, won at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gd in Jul beating Applesandpierres (11-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Dieg Man (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Mid-division, not that fluent, headway 5th, 3rd last, closed on leader and went 2nd final 200 yards, stayed on, led close home, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in May beating All For The Best (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Fair Exchange (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, every chance 2 out, beaten last, 3rd of 4, 10 3/4l behind Monbeg Legend (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) sft in Jul.
Hollins Hill 200-1 (11-2) Led, headed before 5th, soon regained lead, headed 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Eaton Hill (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Applesandpierres (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, switched outside and rallied into 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 4, 7 1/2l behind The Unit (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gf in Aug.
