chased leader, challenged 4 out, led before 3 out, kept on well flat
tracked leading pair, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd next, no impression when dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace 2 out
led, hit 14th, pushed along and joined 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, went left 5th, pushed along and one pace before 4 out, not much room when mistake next, went 2nd 2 out, driven and kept on same pace flat
held up last, jumped slowly 9th, closer order 12th, not much room on inside approaching 4 out, soon outpaced
Nonrunner
This looks a tight affair with none of the six runners ruled out. It's a bit of a worry that AMERICAN LEGEND's regular pilot, A P McCoy, has decided to go to Worcester instead but the six-year-old had subsequent scorer According To Sarah well behind at that track in August and may still be a step ahead of the handicapper. He can get the better of Green Bank, who looked to be in terminal decline prior to his win over a longer trip at Plumpton last time. Caulfields Venture returns from a break and may need easier ground while Welsh Bard probably has too much weight. Regal Presence is best watched given his problems last season.
Caulfields Venture (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Off the pace in 5th and 6th, plugged on in modest 4th from 4 out, never on terms, 4th of 10, 24l behind American Spin (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Welsh Bard (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Behind, blundered 12th, pushed along before next, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 25l behind Balbriggan (11-6) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Green Bank (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Led 2nd, made rest, clear 8th, in command when reached for 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sep beating Orfeo Conti (9-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
American Legend (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, driven flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Aug beating Teak (11-3) by 1l, 6 ran.
According To Sarah (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders, jumped right 1st, ridden before 4 out, challenged from next, led approaching last, idled flat, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Sep beating Kyles Faith (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Regal Presence (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, headed 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Upham Atom (11-10) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
