chased leaders until 7th, ridden after next, weakened 4 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, challenging when blundered 3 out, soon ridden, staying on when not clear run and switched right final 75 yards, ran on, just failed
in touch, hit 2nd, led after 4 out, hard-ridden and hung left final 75 yards, just held on
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, behind when mistake last
led after 1st until after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
held up in touch, headway 8th, ridden after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace
not always fluent, held up, took closer order 9th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out
led until after 1st, chased leader, hit 7th, outpaced next, not a danger after
Nonrunner
John Diamond was good value for his win at Huntingdon last month when giving the impression that there would be plenty more to come and Henrietta Knight's gelding gets the vote to follow up at the main expense of Bishop's Bridge and Allumee. The last mentioned looks potentially well treated for only his second start over fences but has not been seen since March so may need the run and is probably best watched. Dun An Doras is entitled to come on for his reappearance at Stratford but needs to, while One Cornetto should appreciate the drop in class having been well held at Ascot last time but is probably still a shade high in the weights. Exeter hurdles winner Bishop's Bridge could be of interest back over fences off a 3lb lower mark here but there should be more to come from John Diamond and he is preferred.
One Cornetto (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind See You Sometime (10-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gf in Oct.
Allumee 25-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, lost place approaching 5th, staying on same pace when mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 14, 27l behind Desert Quest (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Mar.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Double Dizzy (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
John Diamond (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Close up, chased leader 12th, led after 3 out, ridden clear next, kept on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct beating Royal China (10-4) by 4l, 7 ran.
Smokey Mountain (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led until headed and not much room after 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Cherub (11-6) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Dun An Doras (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Sento (10-13) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Adecco (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Held up last, hit 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Semi Precious (10-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Lubinas (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, led 6th, headed 8th, weakened approaching 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tighe Caster (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept, 9 ran.
