held up, bumped 3rd improved 8th, left 3rd and hampered 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
prominent, chased leader 11th, 2nd and every chance when fell 4 out
keen, mid-division, mistake and lost place 11th, outpaced 6th and next, ridden and headway and left in 2nd place 4 out, led 2 out, soon headed, kept on one pace
led, headed 5th, ridden after 11th, weakened after 3 out
keen, held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway when hampered 4 out, led soon after 2 out, ridden out
mid-division, jumped right 3rd, ridden and lost place 8th, tailed off from 12th
keen, close up led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
College City, Polar Scout and Count Fosco are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Polar Scout. The selection was a fair second behind Time Marches On when last seen and although he has a 555 day absence to overcome he has gone well fresh in the past and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. College City rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Singhalongtasveer over hurdles, he returns to chasing on a fair mark but he is often let down by his jumping and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Count Fosco was a fair fourth behind Garde Champetre last time and should improve for this longer trip so he should be noted in the market. New Perk loves it round here and has to be fancied on that score alone but he has yet to win off a mark this high. Of the remainder Before The Mast has conditions to suit and could go well at a price but he is hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to Polar Scout.
Polar Scout (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Not fluent, held up, steady headway 8th, chased winner 3 out, upsides next, held last, just held on for 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Time Marches On (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in May '05.
Count Fosco 40-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 4 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Garde Champetre (11-0) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs in Oct.
College City (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 6l behind Singhalongtasveer (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
New Perk (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Close up, chased winner 11th, until hit 14th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 38l behind Gaelic Flight (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Before The Mast (IRE) 7-2 (10-1) Held up, mistake 3rd, headway and hit 5 out, ridden when mistake 3 out, in 4th and held when fell at the last in race won by Roofing Spirit (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 8 ran.
Tails I Win 50-1 (10-9) In rear, hampered 2nd, not recover, 14th of 17, well behind Robbie Can Can (11-9) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
General Hopkins (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Mid-division, weakened and tailed off from 12th, kept on to take remote 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, well behind Herecomestanley (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
