always prominent, left in lead 9th, hard driven when jumped left 2out, soon strongly challenged, held on gamely, all out
raced in rear, under pressure approaching 8th, eased before 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2out
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, soon lost place, mistake 5th, soon well in rear
tracked leaders, left in 2nd at 9th, under pressure 3out, gradually faded
led until 2nd, remained prominent, pushed along when hampered 9th, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders approaching 3out, soon one pace
settled in mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 9th, soon chasing leaders, weakened before 3out
raced in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on under pressure, always held
pulled hard, led 2nd, jumped right throughout, mistake 4th, fell 9th
GRAND LAHOU carries a penalty for his 18 length success at Stratford on good ground but he's due to race from a 10lb higher mark in future so it's no surprise to see him turned out quickly in a bid to take advantage. The underfoot conditions will be very different but he was a heavy ground winner during his days in Ireland and should take all the beating if in the same form. This is competitive though and West With The Wind has proved a revelation since joining Evan Williams but the handicapper has left little to chance and a bigger threat may be posed by Knight Legend who, just over a year ago, finished a head second to Royal County Star from a 15lb higher mark. Yellow Flag has been in terrific form as has Nigel Twiston-Davies who saddles Nudge And Nurdle and both runners have to come under consideration.
West With The Wind 11-8fav (11-8) Made all, joined briefly 2 out, soon ridden, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gf in Jun beating Lady Hillingdon (10-5) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Smack That (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, 6th and in touch when fell 4 out, in a race won by Passato (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Jul, 9 ran.
Killenaule Boy 40-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden and weakening when not fluent 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Passato (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f listed hcp chs (1) gd, 16 ran.
Enlightenment (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, no headway 4 out, stayed on to take 4th closing stages, no impression, 4th of 16, 32l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Knight Legend (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Led until 2nd, led and jumped right 4th, went right next, headed 7th, no chance with winner from 3 out, flattered by proximity, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair last, one pace flat, no impression, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Ragador (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Mibleu (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, went 3rd after 3rd, chased winner 6th, no impression after 4 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, last of 6, 38l behind Grand Lahou (11-6) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Yellow Flag 7-4fav (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed last 150 yards, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Rockiteer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Grand Lahou (FR) 5-2fav (11-6) Made all, clear approaching 2nd, reduced advantage 6th, drew well clear again before 3 out, steadied into and mistake last, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd beating Norborne Bandit (10-11) by 18l, 6 ran.
