led until after 3 out, 4th and held last
held up, not jump well, pulled up before 7th
held up in rear, steady headway from 8th, went 2nd after last, kept on, no impression on winner
towards rear, outpaced 9th, mistake and well beaten 3 out
chased leader, mistake 1st, led after 3 out, headed next, no extra and lost 2nd after last
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, challenged 3 out, led next, clear flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, blundered badly 9th, struggling after, weakened from 3 out
ASHUTOR has come on in leaps and bounds since beaten by Beat The Judge off level weights at Newton Abbot and, though 5lb worse off, can reverse that form with Gary Moore’s novice. Ballywood placed twice at a decent level last season and has dropped a further pound since his sixth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March, when Mcgroarty was pulled up, though he’s still 5lb higher than for his last success. King Alfonso has been raised 6lb for winning at Cartmel but did beat Chesterfield on that occasion. Sizing Platinum can go well fresh but it’s almost 12 months since he last saw action.
Sizing Platinum (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Made all, clear before 5th until 8th, joined 3 out, soon driven, edged right after 2 out, stayed on gamely and holding rivals towards finish, won at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Theo (11-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, led narrowly 5 out, headed before 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Solomon Grey (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Ballywood (FR) 28-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, driven from 2 out, kept on flat, 6th of 18, 8 3/4l behind Chosen Mate (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Chesterfield (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, not fluent 3 out, outpaced next, not clear run after last, stayed on, went 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 11, 10l behind King Alfonso (10-8) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Ashutor (FR) 8-11fav (11-7) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 6th, reached for 8th, joined briefly 4 out, clear and going well before next, ducked left briefly after 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Aug beating Master Work (11-7) by 11l, 4 ran.
Beat The Judge (IRE) 11-5fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, challenged 9th led before 2 out, almost joined when not fluent last, kept on well run-in, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in Jul beating Ashutor (10-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
King Alfonso 8-1 (10-8) In touch in mid-division, closed after 2nd, led 2 out, driven clear before final bend, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Aug beating Demi Sang (11-5) by 6l, 11 ran.
