keen in touch in rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up between last 2
held up in touch, chased leading pair 8th until soon after 2 out, soon weakened, trotted over the line
jumped right, led, blundered 4 out, clear approaching last, sure to win very easily when rider took wrong course after last
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, soon outpaced by leader, left clear run in, caught post
in touch, ridden and dropped to rear 6th, behind from 3 out
chased leaders until 8th, outpaced next, headway approaching last, kept on under pressure to lead post
Al Amaan has plenty to do at the weights and seems to have lost his edge at present so this looks between the trio who have all posted victories in the past month. Benny The Swinger's Huntingdon success came in a modest and severely depleted contest and a 15lb rise seems awfully harsh here, whilst David Bridgewater has impressed greatly with his handling of Escardo throughout the summer and into the jumps season proper. This recent winner seems sure to go well again on a track that should suit but the vote goes to ROC DE GUYE. James Evans has his string in good nick at present and his charge was a smooth winner at Stratford last time for which a 3lb rise seems perfectly acceptable. The fact that he also has a success to his name around this idiosyncratic venue is a further plus.
Al Amaan 10-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, led, headed and stumbled 4 out, chased winner until after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Bazart (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Escardo (GER) 5-2 (10-7) Prominent, jumped right 8th, led 4 out, ridden clear last, ran on well, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct beating Pepito Collonges (9-10) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Benny The Swinger (IRE) 11-8 (9-11) Made all, jumped well throughout, clear before 6th, unchallenged, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Peak Seasons (9-7) by 21l, 4 ran.
Roc De Guye (FR) 10-3 (10-5) In touch, smooth headway after 7th, led 3 out, headed after next, left in lead at last, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Oct beating Red Rock (11-2) by 3l, 9 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) In touch, slow and dropped to rear 5th, ridden 4 out, kept on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Farewellatmidnight (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden 9th, mistake and no chance from 4 out, kept on flat, 5th of 6, 21l behind Farewellatmidnight (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
