held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, left in 2nd at last, ran on under pressure to lead close home
tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear next, fell last
led until 3 out, soon under pressure, left in lead at last, headed and no extra towards finish
raced in rear, jumped right thrtoughout, never a factor
tracked leader, mistakes 2nd and 6th, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, effort 3 out, left in remote 3rd at last, soon no impression
Storm Of Applause's last win came in this race 12 months ago yet he will have to defy a 4lb higher mark if he's to go in again. It's not beyond him but he will need to improve on the form that he's shown of late and preference is for SUNDAY CITY. The nine year old routed the opposition at Huntingdon last week and is sure to have his mark raised by more than the 7lb penalty that he carries here and will be fancied to take full advantage. Evan Williams is responsible for almost half the field and the market may be the best guide to their respective chances but Enlightenment isn't on a bad mark if the cheekpieces have the desired effect. Moon Over Miami hasn't won since 2007 and is hard to predict whilst Smack That won well at Aintree in June but it's hard to enthuse about his recent efforts.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 20-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, 11th of 17, well behind Edgbriar (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct.
Enlightenment (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, reminders in last when not fluent 5th, soon weakened, last of 8, 32l behind Black Jack Blues (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Oct.
Sunday City (JPN) 9-2 (11-1) With leader, led after 5th, drew clear after 3 out, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct beating Grand Lahou (11-4) by 28l, 9 ran.
The Snail 11-4fav (11-4) Led to 8th, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 42l behind Chance Du Roy (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place and not fluent 9th, went left and mistake 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 25l behind Sir Ian (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Agente Romano (USA) 11-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, hit 3rd, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Qianshan Leader (11-4) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Smack That (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, took keen hold, went 2nd 3 out until ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 27l behind On Borrowed Wings (10-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
