mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out
held up, never dangerous
tracked leader, hit 6th, led 3 out, soon headed and weakened quickly
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance from 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened flat
chased leaders, driven to lead approaching 2 out, soon strongly challenged, ran on well
in touch, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when hit next, weakened last
led until 3 out, soon led again, headed before next, weakened closing stages
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
behind, headway 3 out, stayed on under pressure after last, never nearer
behind, hit 2 out, switched left to challenge last, stayed on into 2nd towards finish, never reached winner
Withdrawn
NonRunner
Canyon City is turned out again under a penalty after winning easily at Fakenham last week but will probably need more. Royal Plaza is better over fences while Caro Des Flos has left Willie Mullins since winning a Downpatrick maiden in May. Smart Boy has an even longer absence to overcome but Giveaway Glance has seen action on the Flat this summer and has each-way claims. Richard Johnson rides recent course winner Wind Place And Sho rather than POINTED AND SHARP but Michael Nolan rode Philip Hobbs’ charge to victory at Worcester around this time last year and he appeals as the type to go well fresh.
Caro Des Flos (FR) 4-5fav (11-4) Close up, 3rd early, on terms approaching 3 out, soon led, not fluent last, quickly asserted, stayed on well, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn gd in May beating Ravenhill (11-4) by 9l, 15 ran.
Maquisard (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened 2 out, behind when pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Royal Plaza 14-1 (11-13) Led, hit 5th, headed 2 out, ridden on long run-in, rallied towards finish, ran on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Vivas (11-13) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Mystic Sky 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, 6th and outpaced 3 out, well beaten from next, 7th of 9, 37l behind Innocent Touch (12-1) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Giveaway Glance 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, hung left and weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 6, 9l behind Spirit Of Appin (9-1) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp fll (3) gs in Aug.
Canyon City 9-4fav (11-8) Keen tracked leaders, led bend before last, soon clear, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Todd (10-13) by 11l, 7 ran.
Quarenta (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 12th of 13, dist behind Padleyourowncanoe (10-1) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Smart Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led and bumped 1st, headed 6th, chased leader, reminder and led again 3 out, 1 length ahead 2 out, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Zen Master (11-9) by nk, 8 ran.
The Premier Celtic 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, fell 2 out, at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Pointed And Sharp (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) In rear, headway before 2 out, led 2 out, headed before last, no extra, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Global Thrill (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Wind Place And Sho 6-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headway approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Cubswin (11-11) by nk, 6 ran.
Notre Ami (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, fell heavily 3rd, at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
G For Ginger 11-4fav (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Novis Adventus (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.