held up, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, close 4th when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
led, ridden after 3 out, kept on, no extra when headed towards finish
held up, fell 12th
always behind, tailed off
held up, headway after 12th, ridden to dispute 2nd when slipped on bend after 4 out, blundered 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, challenged last, soon ridden, led towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 12th, soon ridden, weakened after next, left 4th 3 out
in touch, ridden after 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
Shouldawouldacoulda finally got his head in front at Cartmel but still isn't one to be relied on in a finish so we'll take a chance with MONZON in the hope that his recent win has improved his confidence. Of the remainder, Leading Article should be a leading contender. The selection may have landed a race that took little winning last time but he is only 6lbs higher, has run well at the track before and is seemingly at the top of his game. Shouldawouldacoulda has passed up a number of decent openings over fences and hurdles now and couldn't be supported with confidence despite possessing more than enough ability to win a race of this nature. Leading Article failed to cope with a quick reappearance under a penalty at Wincanton but it was still a respectable performance; a repeat of which should be enough to see him involved. A reproduction of Farmer's Lad's best form would do the same for him whilst Abutilon is sure to attract attention with McCoy in the saddle but we'll take Monzon in the hope that he's turned over a new leaf.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd 4 out until approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out, fell last fell in race won by St Mellion Freeway (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft in Sept, 10 ran.
Farmer's Lad (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 5 out, 9th of 12, well behind Sou'wester (11-11) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Pan The Man (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 10th, plugged on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Soleil Fix (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Leading Article (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 11th, stayed on to go 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Smoke Trail (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Feeling Better (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until 5th, soon well behind, 11th of 14, well behind Killone Moonlight (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft in Aug.
Abutilon 9-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders before 2 out, kept on same pace no impression, 4th of 14, 11l behind Breaking Storm (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Monzon (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Held up, headway, chased leader 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, pecked last, ran on flat, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs beating Peveril Pride (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Brimham Boy 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 10th, behind when pulled up in race won by The Jolly Spoofer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf, 12 ran.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Seymar Lad (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
