tracked leaders, mistake 9th, slightly hampered 13th, ridden 4 out, went 2nd from 3 out, stayed on, unable to trouble winner
held up in last, not fluent 6th, went 4th 13th, chasing leaders when mistake and pecked 3 out, blundered 2 out, 3rd when not fluent last, no impression, dropped to 4th flat
pressed leader, not fluent and reminder 6th, lost place and ridden 11th, well beaten before 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 10th, jumped right 13th, challenged 4 out, led next, clear when jumped right last, stayed on well
led, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden 14th, headed 3 out, rallied to take 3rd flat, no impression
It's only a matter of time before Audacious Plan gets off the mark over fences and the return to a longer trip will suit. But the drying ground may not be ideal and FAVOURED NATION (NAP) looks a progressive type. The top weight carries a penalty after his success at Market Rasen 10 days ago but can shrug off the extra. The mare Barton Rose fell heavily at Taunton last month and is another for whom conditions may be too quick. Chesterten would have also preferred softer going while High Kite reappears following a lay-off.
Favoured Nation (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, took closer order halfway, driven before 3 out, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Smart Catch (10-13) by 10l, 6 ran.
Barton Rose 11-1 (11-8) In rear and in touch, fell 6 out, in a race won by Quite By Chance (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar, 5 ran.
Chestertern 15-2 (11-12) Tracking leading trio on inside, hit 6th, pushed along and lost place when not fluent 8th, weakenened before 4 out, last of 6, 12l behind Forgivienne (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Audacious Plan (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Led until 10th, ridden before 5 out, stayed on same pace from 4 out, not fluent 2 out, closed on 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Until Winning (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
High Kite (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Led, hit 5th and reminder, blundered and reminders 8th, mistake and dropped out 10th, beaten next, continued tailed off, 4th of 6, 37l behind Doing Fine (10-13) at Ffos Las 3m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Oct.
