held up in touch, headway 10th, disputing 2nd when not much room on bend approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway 11th, not fluent next, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten
always prominent, hit 5th, bumped 10th, led next, hard pressed when hit 3 out, kept on gamely, ridden out
towards rear, jumped slowly 8th, behind and pulled up before 11th
soon led, jumped right 10th, ridden and headed next, hit 12th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
held up, headway 11th, ridden and every chance after 4 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, joined winner 12th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
blundered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders until 11th, soon well behind
Blaze Ahead, Matthew Muroto and Music To My Ears look the principals in this competitive handicap chase and the nomination is given to Blaze Ahead. The selection won well last time out when beating Admiral Peary and although having a penalty for that win he again has conditions to suit and with cheek-pieces likely to bring about more improvement he looks the one to be on. Mathew Muroto rates the main danger on his latest second behind Fieldsofclover but he is rising in the weights for getting beat and is taken on with this in mind. Music To My Ears is another that could go well on his latest third behind Strong Resolve but he has had plenty of chances off similar marks without taking one and he is opposed with this in mind. Of the remainder Baodai is from a yard in form but has yet to prove he stays this far. Of the remainder Cresswell Willow had every chance until making a bad mistake last time out and if his jumping holds up he could go well at a price but for the winner we are happy to return to Blaze Ahead.
Baodai (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Prominent, outpaced 10th, soon beaten, 8th of 12, well behind Patricksnineteenth (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
I'm Lovin It (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mistakes, keen, held up, headway approaching 3 out, fifth and no impression on leaders when unseated rider at the last in race won by Magical Harry (11-1) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May, 14 ran.
Cresswell Willow (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Jumped left 1st, led or disputed lead until blundered badly and lost place 11th, not recover and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Eskimo Jack (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May, 8 ran.
Manly Money 3-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, pecked 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Liberty Ben (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Music To My Ears (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and hampered next, one pace, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Strong Resolve (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden and chased winner 12th, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Fieldsofclover (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, tracked leader 5th, ridden 3 out, led after last, hung right, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May beating Admiral Peary (11-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Quizzling (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-0) Towards rear when mistake and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Fieldsofclover (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in May, 10 ran.
