held up towards rear, bad mistake 6th, driven along 5 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, mistake fifth, pushed along 4 out, no impression
close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace flat
held up in rear, smooth progress to challenge 4 out, led 3 out, stayed on well
led, jumped on right on occasions, headed 3 out, kept on without troubling winner
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, pushed along 3 out, plugged on same pace
Runasimi River won a couple of times over hurdles last year off higher marks but lost her way at the start of the year and hasn’t raced since last on her chasing debut in March. ASTRA VIA has been rested since disappointing here in June but has every chance on her best form over fences so gets the nod ahead of Howdilyoudo, who hasn’t progressed from a win at Stratford in May.
Runasimi River 14-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden after 10th, never in contention, last of 6, dist behind Keep Rolling (12-2) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Howdilyoudo (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, not fluent last, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Anightinlambourn (12-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Astra Via 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, outpaced after 11th, well beaten 4 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 34 1/2l behind On Springs (12-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Ho Que Oui (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never involved, 6th of 7, 21l behind Mr Yeats (12-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Dancing Dani (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Jumped right, not always fluent, led until 4th, lost place 14th, well behind before 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Cresswell Queen (10-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Kind Witness (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Off the pace in last pair, pushed along before 3 out (normal 3 out), never on terms, tailed off and pulled up omitted 3 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.