held up in touch, hampered 3rd, in rear from 5th, headway to track leaders after 9th, weakened from 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten
led to 9th, pushed along and lost place going to 10th, soon in rear, soon struggling, jumped right 6 out and badly right 5 out, soon pulled up
held up in rear, headway to join leader 11th, in 3rd when hit 5 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, went 2nd 5 out, challenged 4 out, led before next, clear approaching 2 out, easily
Nonrunner
TO ARMS is the selection in the novice chase with Winter Star and Silver Story worthy of interest. Lawney Hill's eight-year-old hardly set the world alight during previous forays over chase fences but his recent hurdling has been at a solid standard and connections have come here clearly hoping that they can bag a race over chase fences before the big boys send out the better novices. Winter Star has been pulled out of a few engagements of late. He has not seen the racecourse for the best part of two years though Evan Williams is likely to have him fit enough to do himself justice. Silver Story and Tampa Boy both have a winners penalty to carry. The former, who won well at Worcester, making more appeal of the pair. Thelobstercatcher has shown ability on fast ground in Ireland though he does not seem particularly quick. To Arms is not without a few negatives but he is a feasible choice if his fencing holds together.
Silver Story 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, reminders after 7th, headway when not fluent next, every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 10, 21l behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Tampa Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Always prominent, driven after 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jul beating Local Present (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Diddle'em 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, behind 8th, soon hung right, jumped right 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Chesapeake (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Thelobstercatcher 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped slowly 1st, outpaced after 4 out, in 4th and pecked 3 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Walamo (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf in Jul.
Tiger Run (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th after 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace straight, 5th of 10, 37l behind Glantara (11-0) at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gd in Jul.
To Arms 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 6th, chased winner before 2 out where mistake, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mumbles Pier (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Jul.
Winter Star 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, led 6th to 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up approaching last, dismounted, in a race won by Thunder Rock (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Sep '08, 7 ran.
