in touch, driven 8th, behind from 11th, tailed off 4 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression approaching last
in touch, headway to track leaders 11th, chased leader 3 out, led after 2 out, clear last, driven and stayed on strongly run in
not fluent, mistake 1st next and 5th, headway 11th, disputing close 3rd but ridden when fell 2 out
held up, mistake 5th, struggling 11th, tailed off 4 out
held up in rear, blundered 8th, steady headway 11th, disputing close 3rd and going well when jumped right and fell 2 out
blundered 1st, tracked leaders until pulled up before 10th
The first of the seasons big chases and last years winner Cyfor Malta will make a bold bid to follow up despite being 17lbs higher this time around. Reported to have done well over the summer he has to be on the shortlist, and should again take care of runner-up Poliantas, who actually meets Cyfor Malta on 2lbs worse terms than when beaten seven-lengths by him. However, a chance is taken with Young Spartacus, who goes well fresh, and taking a line through Fondmort, who he beat in the Mildmay Of Fleet at the Festival, he has the beating of the latter as well as Poliantas. That run gives him every chance in this and another plus is that his trainer, who has had few runners of late, has won with the last couple of runners he has saddled. Fondmort has been the subject of plenty of support during the week and he looks certain to play his part. He has gone well fresh in the past and is effective under these conditions. It takes Time is the interesting one. Lightly raced over fences, he looks like being every bit as good over the larger obstacles as he was over timber, in which case he doesn't have to find much. He could prove to be well treated off this mark. Ei Ei will ensure there is plenty of pace on, but this likeable performer may find these a bit too good for him. Exit Swinger will be bidding to put his mishap in this event last year behind him, but his overall form leaves him something to find, while Master Term has yet to reach the heights he achieved over hurdles and it remains to be seen how he copes with these stiff fences in what is sure to be a soundly run contest. The lightly weighted Risk Accessor was in the process of running a big race in this last year until blundering his chance away. 3lbs out of the weights last year, he is an extra 1lb worse in this time around, but that isn't too much of a worry and he looks one of the likelier long shots. Redemption has plenty of ability, but he does seem to struggle with his fencing, so with this likely to be run at a sound pace, Young Spartacus, who does stay further than this is taken to outstay his rivals.
