towards rear, steady headway 9th, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 11th, hampered 5 out, led 3 out, ridden clear
held up, mistake 7th, weakened 10th
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 4 out, headed next, weakened flat
towards rear, mistake and jumped right 4th, behind from 11th
towards rear, some progress approaching 5 out
tracked leaders, weakened 11th
held up, lost place 5th, jumped slowly next and soon tailed off
held up, mistake 2nd, ridden and headway after 11th to go in touch until weakened next
disputed lead, led 10th, jumped and headed 12th, weakened 3 out
Randolph O'Brien, Island of Memories and Highland Chief make the shortlist here with preference for Highland Chief to complete the hat trick. Island of Memories was made favourite last time on the back of a couple of placed efforts, but he got no further than the fourth. It is a year since he won but he can be therabouts here. Randolph O'Brien scored at Towcester but was run out of the frame in a return visit to the track when trying a longer trip. Back to his winning distance here, Randolph O'Brien can go well, though he has gone up two pounds for lis latest defeat which seems harsh. Highland Chief scored in good style at Plumpton and was consequently made a short price favourite next time. He obliged, but it was hard work, and he is eleven pounds higher here. He is progressive however, and Highland Chief can rule here.
Randolph O'Brien (IRE) 9-2co-fav (12-1) In touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 29l behind Arnold Layne (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Master d'Or (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, stayed on steadily from approaching 2 out, went 4th when jumped right last, never near leaders, 4th of 12, 20l behind Mighty Moose (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, close up when unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Livingonaknifedge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Highland Chief (IRE) 4-11fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased leader 8th, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, hung right flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Sir Laughalot (11-8) by 1l, 5 ran.
Spike Jones (NZ) 16-1 (11-6) Always in rear, not fluent 8th, mistake 11th, behind when pulled up in race won by Lyon (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr, 10 ran.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, last of 5, well behind Highland Chief (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Jolejoker 6-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 9th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 24l behind Donovan (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Nemetan (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and some progress 4 out, no impression on leaders from 2 out, 4th of 10, 5l behind Lyon (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Smeathe's Ridge 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden when jumped slowly 6th, mistake next, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out pulled up at the 10th in race won by Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Island of Memories (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Held up, behind when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Pauntley Gofa (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 6 ran.
Tiger Tips Lad (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Led 1st, soon headed, left in lead 7th, headed 9th, ridden 3 out, weakening when jumped right 2 out, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Ammunition (11-10) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
