held up in rear, headway to go 3rd 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression on first 2
keen early, held up, hit 7th, outpaced 10th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 4 out
led, driven 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on until no extra flat
tracked leaders, headway to challenge when blundered badly 4 out, stayed on under pressure to lead before last, ridden right out
hit 1st, tracked leader, reminders 7th, lost place after 5 out, weakened and pulled up before next
in touch, 3rd when blundered 5 out, outpaced next, soon beaten
held up, ridden 10th, never on terms
Arumun has the ability to win this with both Salhood and Waterspray the likely dangers. The selection is now harshly nine pounds higher for his recent Warwick win. Having said that he has won off that mark in the past and with that in mind we take him to follow up. Salhood should come on for his seasonal reappearance at Market Rasen when he finished third to Spring Margot. He has always looked in need of his first outing and with improvement almost certain he should give the selection a run for his money. Waterspray has been running with credit all season and was in the process of running another fine race until blundering and unseating his rider at Chepstow last time out. Another bold run can be expected but for the winner we return to Arumun.
Arumun (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, led last, ran on, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov beating Letalus (11-9) by 4l, 7 ran.
Made In Montot (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Held up, behind when fell at the 8th in race won by Lord Jay Jay (10-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Waterspray (AUS) 8-1 (11-9) Led, headed 3rd until 6th, ridden after 5 out, narrowly headed when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Captain Marlon (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Salhood 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, blundered last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Spring Margot (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Arctic Ghost 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, went 2nd at 9th, challenged when not fluent 5 out, blundered 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Lost In Normandy (9-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Nov.
Silvergino (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-7) Close up, blundered 5 out, soon beaten, last of 6, well behind Mange Tout (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jul.
Yvanovitch (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Held up, went 3rd 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Seeyaaj (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.