took keen hold, tracked winner after 1st, hit 5th and 6th, jumped right 9th and 10th, lost 2nd 12th, no impression from 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, 2nd 12th, jumped right, held by winner flat, stayed on
made all, 4 lengths clear flat, reduced lead towards finish, pushed out
held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, 3rd 4 out, hampered 2 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, last 6th, fell 12th
held up in mid-division, jumped right at times, effort 12th, no impression after 4 out, 6th and weakening when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, in touch 4 out, no extra from 3 out
chased leaders, blundered and lost place 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
A nice prize has attracted a decent field, including As De Mee who won the Grand Sefton over the National fences at Aintree last year. Go Conquer was out of luck last season but goes well fresh and holds Howlongisafoot on the form book while it is surely only a matter of time before Pull The Chord is winning over fences. WORKBENCH (NAP) is probably better treated over hurdles at present but he is no slouch over fences and his record on this figure-of-eight circuit is exemplary - Dan Skelton’s charge can win again.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place and pushed along after 9th, tailed off after 4 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Art Of Payroll (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
As De Mee (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Shantou Village (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Go Conquer (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, badly hampered and lost place 12th (canal turn), soon behind, no danger after, tailed off, 17th of 29, dist behind Ultragold (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Antony (FR) 12-1 (10-11) In touch, blundered and stumbled badly 15th, behind next, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Pull The Chord (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Mistakes, chased leaders, not fluent 7th, hit 12th, went 2nd next, every chance 2 out, ridden and held when blundered last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Some Buckle (11-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Gowanauthat (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led to 1st, pressed leader, led again after 4th to 6th, mistake 8th, lost place when pulled up after 5 out, at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Workbench (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4 out, quickened clear after next, ridden and edged right after last, kept on under pressure when hard pressed final 100 yards, just held on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Resolution Bay (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, slow 8th, slightly hampered 11th, 2nd 4 out until after 2 out, beaten 4th flat, 4th of 9, 9l behind Ten Sixty (11-8) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
