mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to challenge 4 out, led last, soon headed, no extra
mid-division, hit 4th, struggling when mistake 10th, not a danger when went right 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened before next, pulled up before last
hit 1st, held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed soon after 2 out, no extra
held up, soon well behind, good headway after 11th, went right 4 out, mistake 3 out, switched left, led soon after last, driven out
held up behind, headway after 11th, ridden before next, led 2 out, headed and stumbled last, weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden when blundered and unseated rider 11th
lost touch after 7th
Roussea lost no caste in defeat when second at the weekend and off the same mark he can go one better today; Secret Glen and Ackhurst make up the shortlist. Lightly-raced for a nine-year-old, the selection was being scrubbed along some way out on Sunday but responded to every one of his jockey's urgings to run a good race in second. He will appreciate the return to this trip and with the ground to suit he looks worth a bet. Secret Glen is certainly very consistent as he hasn't been out of the first three in his four runs this season. However he has paid the price with the handicapper for his consistency and now has to race off a lifetime-high mark and accordingly can be taken on. Ackhurst hasn't been the most fluent of jumper's on his five starts over fences and he again showed that trait on his recent reappearance run; he needs to improve in that department before he can get competitive. Walsingham should have improved for his recent run and has place claims, along with Nagano who has shown ability in the past and now looks on a handy mark. An open race, but if Roussea takes his chance then he can reward those who keep the faith.
Ackhurst (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, blundered 3rd, soon no impression, 5th of 7, well behind Willyanwoody (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (3) gf in Oct.
Nagano (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened last, 5th of 7, 31l behind Bestofthebrownies (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Secret Glen (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, chased leader, reminders 10th, outpaced 4 out, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Highland Chief (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct.
Roussea (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden and mistake 4 out, every chance approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Lake Imperial (11-0) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) frm.
Walsingham (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Led, headed 6th, led again briefly 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 14, 25l behind Marked Man (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Deep Quest 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and behind 6th, soon no impression and pulled up 2 out in race won by Leading Attraction (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Constantius 20-1 (10-6) In rear, hit 3rd, headway when hit 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, eased flat, 11th of 16, 42l behind Try (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Oct.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until lost place 6th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Highland Chief (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct, 10 ran.
Working Late 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 20l behind Lake Imperial (11-0) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) frm.
Harrival 125-1 (11-4) Tracking leaders when unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Michael Muck (11-4) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
