jumped well, led, headed 2 out, rallied last, driven to lead again flat, stayed on gamely
jumped right, held up in rear, headway to 4th after 13th, closed before 4 out, blundered and held from next
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, weakened 13th, tailed off
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th until after 8th, went 2nd again 9th until 12th, chased leaders, led 2 out, joined when slight stumble last, headed and not quicken flat
chased winner until reminder after 6th, went 2nd again 8th until next, weakened 12th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
Strumble Head won a novice chase over 2m here in June and stays this longer trip. He has to go on the short-list in the company but we'll take a chance on chasing newcomer THE ROCKIES, who has shown some promise over hurdles but was always likely to come into his own when going over the bigger obstacles and doesn't look badly treated. Irish raider Smiths Hill is also interesting while Tae Kwon Do has been in action on the Flat and won't fail through lack of fitness. He makes more appeal than the returning Lady Karinga and Montana Gold
Strumble Head (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along before 6th, soon struggling, plugged on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 5, 18l behind Nobunaga (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jul.
The Rockies (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, went 3rd between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Royal Scoundrel (11-0) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Lady Karinga 17-2 (11-2) Raced wide, in touch, ridden in 4th and no impression after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 10, 40l behind Cross The Flags (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Smiths Hill (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Back On The Road (10-10) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 sft.
Roses Legend 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, not fluent 8th, lost place after 9th, weakened 14th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Danimix (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in Jul.
Montana Gold (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Behind, jumped slowly 3rd, fell 9th, in a race won by Ballyman (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Tae Kwon Do (USA) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden after 9th, soon lost touch, pulled up after, in a race won by Snake Charmer (10-1) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sep, 10 ran.
