tracked leader, not fluent 7th, pushed along before 5 out, not fluent next, soon beaten
led, hit 3rd, not fluent 4 out and 2 out, pressed and ridden before last, headed inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, mistake 6th, pushed along 11th, tailed off home straight
in rear, pushed along and went third 4 out, mistake 3 out, one pace thereafter
tracked leader, pushed along before 5 out, ridden before 3 out, pressed leader going to last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
PRESENTANDCOUNTING has looked a natural over fences having won five of his six outings so far over the larger obstacles. This is his toughest task to date but he might be worth sticking with. Captain Tom Cat won his first three chases and is back in novice company after finishing fifth in a Grade 3 handicap at Market Rasen in July. Tea Clipper won a Grade 3 handicap over hurdles at this meeting last year but has always looked like a chaser in the making while Fidelio Vallis is unbeaten this year. Grumpy Charley was 3-3 here over hurdles while Kiltealy Briggs has been highly tried so far, though would have preferred softer ground.
Captain Tom Cat (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Chased leader until 1st, chased leaders after, not fluent 7th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 4th last stride, 5th of 16, 9 3/4l behind Francky Du Berlais (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jul.
Fidelio Vallis (FR) 8-15fav (11-10) Made all, pressed when jumped right and not fluent 2 out, jumped right last, ridden clear inside final 100 yards, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gs in May beating Tikkinthebox (10-8) by 4l, 6 ran.
Grumpy Charley 28-1 (11-7) Not much room on landing 2nd, last pair and outpaced after, well beaten before 3 out, 6th of 8, 34 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Presentandcounting (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Jumped well, led, headed after 2 out, soon ridden and 3 lengths down, only 1 length down when left in clear lead last, won at Stratford 2m 3f (3) gd in Sep beating Clever As A Fox (11-2) by dist, 4 ran.
Tea Clipper (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway after 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, disputing 2nd briefly flat, no impression on winner, 3rd and one pace final 75 yards, 3rd of 19, 7 3/4l behind Hometown Boy (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Kiltealy Briggs (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent 10th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 6th and weakening last, 9th of 21, 14 1/4l behind The Shunter (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
