held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on from last
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden next, led run-in, driven out
always behind, struggling from halfway
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced
led approaching 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden to lead again approaching 2 out, headed run-in, one pace
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when blundered last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
led, headed approaching 3rd, chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened after 2 out
towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on from next, never on terms
chased leaders, blundered 3rd, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, weakened halfway
held up mid-division, lost place halfway
held up mid-division, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headway, one pace, no impression
always towards rear
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
The in-form Muckle Flugga can land the hat-trick with a clear round, while Rare Coincidence and River Mist also come into the argument on recent form. There may also be more to come from Maunby Rocker now that he has proved his well being. But a 7lb rise for his win at Hexham does not make life easy for him. River Mist was behind the selection when they met at Aintree in May but has a feasible chance of reversing the form on the revised terms. However, she ran as if the handicapper was in charge in her latest start and she needs everything to go her way. Rare Coincidence is a versatile sort that has made the most of a couple of good opportunities over hurdles lately. This is a bit tougher but his record of making the frame in all bar two of his seven previous outings over jumps is encouraging for him to at least make the frame. However, Muckle Flugga does looks to be a touch more progressive at this stage and, with his yard in good form at present, he has plenty in his favour in his bid to land his third victory on the bounce
Red Man (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up behind, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 15, 29l behind General Duroc (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
Rare Coincidence 9-2 (10-9) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs beating Rustarix (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
River Mist (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and reminders 6th, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Lutin Du Moulin (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Muckle Flugga (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 9th, led next, driven out, won at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in May beating Mary Macs Lad (10-5) by 4l, 14 ran.
Flake 5-1 (10-8) With leaders, hit 1st, ridden after 5f out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 22l behind Polar Gunner (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Wally Wonder (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) In touch to halfway, soon weakened, tailed off when, 11th of 14, well behind Tobesure (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Oct.
Big Wheel 10-1 (9-13) In touch, pushed along 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 13, 19l behind Rising Generation (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct.
Maunby Rocker 9-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 2 out, led approaching last, all out towards finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft beating Samson des Galas (10-1) by a hd, 13 ran.