mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden and chased leader 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway 6th, kept on one pace from 3 out
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, tracked leader 4th, led after 6th, quickened 3 out, ridden 2 out, in command last, driven out flat
led until after 6th, no fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
always behind, lost touch from 3 out
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, chased winner and hit 2 out, kept on one pace from last
mid-divisoin, headway 6th, ridden and chased winner 2 out, slightly outpaced approaching last, rallied and ran on to go 2nd flat
Presentandcorrect is the pick ahead of Nawamees, Grecian Groom and Marfinca. Presentandcorrect has failed to impress in two starts over fences this term, so is put back over timber by Philip Hobbs in a bid to rekindle his confidence no doubt. The six-year-old was in good form over timber earlier in the year, winning twice under Tom O'Brien who renews the association here, so hopes are high that he can bounce back to form in a race that should take little winning. Nawamees is a past course-and-distance winner, but has not been seen since July, and has to give weight to the selection, while Grecian Groom has been off even longer, and despite the help of Tony McCoy, is best watched. Marfinca was not foot perfect when last seen over fences in April, and is another that now tackles the smaller obstacles. In receipt of nearly a stone from the selection, he could prove troublesome if anywhere near fit, but we are happy to side with Presentandcorrect.
Nawamees (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on to go 3rd after 2 out, 3rd of 11, 5l behind The Grey Man (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Presentandcorrect (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway after 6th, weakening when jumped left 7th, 8th of 11, 27l behind Dev (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sept.
Take A Mile (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 34l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Love Angel (USA) 33-1 (10-2) Behind, hampered 2nd and mistake next, moderate headway from approaching 2 out, never in contention, 10th of 17, 25l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Grecian Groom (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 5th, headway after 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, well behind Ballamusic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Espoir Du Bocage (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway halfway, in touch when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Donovan (10-1) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sept, 11 ran.
Marfinca (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 7th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 16 lengths 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Ela Re (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
Play Master (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, mistake and stumbled 2nd, headway when not fluent 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 13, 19l behind Le Corvee (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Masjoor 9-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 6th, ridden and challenged last, led soon after, driven clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf in Sept beating Mapilut du Moulin (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
