tracked leaders, driven and outpaced by front pair 2 out, ridden and stayed on to take narrow 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
made most, to 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, not fluent last, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd near finish
disputed lead to before 4 out, soon outpaced and behind, ridden and weakened after next
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, drew clear from last, easily
close up in rear, effort on outside 3 out, soon outpaced and ridden, kept on from next, no impression
NonRunner
Brown Bear placed over course and distance before finishing runner-up over fences here in June and can figure again. But BLACK ANTHEM also returns to the smaller obstacles racing off the same mark as when successful in a chase at Newton Abbot last week and Richard Newland’s progressive charge can go in again with a conditional’s allowance further helping his cause. The remainder are hard to recommend in their current form as though Desert Roe was winning between the flags earlier in the year he’s yet to win in 17 previous outings under Rules.
Brown Bear (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, outpaced next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Out For Justice (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Desert Roe (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) (tt) led aft 2 out til fell last, at Bratton Down 3m gf in Jun.
Ruffling Feathers (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leader to 4th, hit 6th, weakened 7th, 7th of 8, 36 1/2l behind Isle Road (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Black Anthem (IRE) 6-5fav (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, slow 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, stayed on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Skinflint (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Mount Vesuvius (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, no impression after 3 out, 11th of 15, 30 1/2l behind Show's Over (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Captains Run (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) In rear, pushed along and struggling after 6th, 7th of 12, dist behind Chef De Troupe (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.