tracked leader, pressed leader 6th until ridden 3 out, rallied to lead when hit 2 out, asserted flat
led, joined 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace
in rear, behind 4th, ridden and headway to chase leading pair 4 out, joined winner 2 out, one pace flat
in rear, tailed off when pulled up soon after 5th
close up when jinked right on landing and unseated first
chased leading pair until ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when hit last
Nonrunner
Tigger has become expensive to follow and isn't improving, though would have finished ahead of Our Double Diamond had that one not took a heavy fall at Newton Abbot last time. Free Falling has gone up 9lb since his surprise win at Fontwell but should still confirm that form with third Flowerbud. Coolagad Wonder also won at Fontwell in August but was tailed off at Hereford next time so a tentative vote goes to MAN OF LEISURE. Nerys Dutfield's charge had placed form in better company last season and can shrug off a six-month absence.
Free Falling 12-1 (11-4) Raced wide, tracked leading pair, led 5th, made rest, clear approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (5) gf in Sep beating Living Proof (11-1) by 3l, 7 ran.
Tigger 5-2fav (10-13) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th or next, went 2nd approaching 9th until after 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 10, 24l behind Tiger Line (10-10) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sep.
Coolagad Wonder (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Dalrymple (10-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Our Double Diamond 7-1 (11-2) Led 1st until after 2nd, led 3rd, headed after 4th, led 5th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, fell 2 out, in a race won by King Benny (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep, 6 ran.
Flowerbud 9-2 (10-9) Led or disputed lead to 5th chased leaders, went 3rd 3 out, no chance with leading pair before next, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Free Falling (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (5) gf in Sep.
Always Cruising (USA) 10-1 (10-11) Fell 1st, in a race won by King Benny (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep, 6 ran.
Man Of Leisure 8-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Flying Award (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.