led, headed approaching 4th, with leader from 7th, ridden 3 out, outbattled for 2nd close home
keen in mid-division, driven 8th, weakened after 13th
tracked leaders, chased leaders 4 out, held in 4th when hit last
held up, lost place 8th, kept on moderately
always behind, mistake 10th
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up, hit 6th, weakened 12th
held up, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place 9th, behind when mistake 12th
mid-division, steady headway from 13th, kept on under pressure to take 2nd close home
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, joined 7th, hit 4 out, kept on well
A good start to the card with many formbook chances and we like MOKUM over Boychuk and Iron Man. Tony Carroll's gelding showed improved form over the course of last season and with his better efforts coming on good ground, he can make full use of a weight concession from the majority of his rivals. Boychuk needs little introduction. Somewhat small in stature, he lacks little in heart. Iron Man has become something of a regular in the big staying chases. Third in a similar event at Market Rasen recently, he is sure to give another good account. Nudge And Nurdle finished behind on that occasion and is the pick of a bulk five-day entry from the in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies. Bowleaze won this race last term but is off a 9lb higher mark today. Ice Tea has been well held off this mark in the past. Lightly-weighted I Hear Thunder and Seymar Lad are both out of the handicap but in the last four recent renewals the winner has carried 10st 5lb or less. Mokum is a speculative pick.
Iron Man (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway to lead halfway, headed and outpaced when hampered after 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Always Waining (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Sept.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, always towards rear, 9th of 15, 48l behind Always Waining (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Sept.
Ice Tea (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) 5th of 8, 10l behind He's The Gaffer (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Boychuk (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led to 5th, ridden 10th, soon lost place, stayed on approaching last, no danger, 5th of 15, 12l behind Down The Stretch (10-2) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May.
The Real Deal (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Blundered badly 3rd, behind after, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Endless Power (10-3) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Bowleaze (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Led to 2nd, remained in touch, ridden 14th, weakened next, 6th of 12, well behind Victor Daly (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Mokum (FR) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, nudged along after 16th, ridden and headway after 3 out, led soon after last, headed final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 11, shd behind Le Duc (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Apr.
Third Level Tom 14-1 (10-2) 7th of 12, well behind Dashing George (10-4) at Tralee 2m 4f hcp chs sft.
Hautclan (FR) 6-1 (12-7) In tch to 11; t.o & pulled up in race won by Cottage River (12-0) at Barbury 3m 6f ptp gd in Apr, 11 ran.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, hit 4th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 12th of 18, 42l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-6) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) In touch, headway 11th, led 4 out until next, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Aheadofhistime (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
