held up in touch, disputing close 3rd when blundered 4 out, held after, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway 9th, blundered 13th, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven out
tracked leader, left in lead approaching 9th, headed 10th, weakened 4 out, mistake next
led, blundered 6th, headed and pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, challenged 9th, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, one pace last
held up in touch, left 2nd approaching 9th, led next, jumped right 3 out, ridden when not fluent 3 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace flat
prominent when mistake 1st, soon in rear, lost touch approaching 4 out, tailed off
CAPPAGH impressed on debut over fences and can follow up his win in a handicap at Perth and retain his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles. He was far from footperfect and has looked quirky in the past but this longer trip will suit and he can continue to progress as he matures. Agente Romano had jumped boldly until falling on his chase bow at Huntingdon and he should go close if he can post an error free round on this occasion but there is a chance that that fall could have left a mark. Michigan Assassin has the edge in experience but is vulnerable and it would be no surprise to see fair hurdlers Sonny Mullen and Prince Du Beury give good accounts and pose more problems.
Agente Romano (USA) 11-4 (11-0) Led until fell 11th, in a race won by Walamo (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug, 4 ran.
Cappagh (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, left closer bend after 5th, not fluent 7th, 6 lenghts 4th 4 out, closed 3 out, went 2nd next, switched right and challenged last, led on bit soon after, easily, won at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Sep beating Reland (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up, went 3rd 10th, chased leader after 13th, led 3 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Hereford 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Sep beating Job One (11-5) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed next, not fluent 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Prince du Beury (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Prominent, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Share Option (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 17 ran.
Sonny Mullen (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up on outside, headway from 5th, challenged approaching 3 out until edged left after 2 out, beaten before last, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Federstar (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Apr.
Vintage Fabric (USA) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Basford Lass (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Aug.