in lead going to 3 out, not fluent next, headed last, rallied to regain lead towards finish (no time taken)
chasing winner going to 3 out, switched right approaching last, led last, hard ridden flat, headed and no extra towards finish
3rd and one pace going to 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leading duo, kept on same pace, weakened into modest 4th in closing stages
struggling in 5th going to 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
4th and struggling going to 3 out, went modest 3rd in closing stages
Nonrunner
VENETIAN LAD has won five times over fences, four of them around here. He's not badly treated and well up to this grade so is handed the verdict. The Sneezer scored over hurdles last month but hasn't been in the best of form over fences and is on a higher mark. Popaflora gained a very easy victory the last time he ran here in May and, though disappointing on his next two starts, can't be dismissed as he scored on testing ground at Tipperary. The veteran Mister Wiseman generally goes well around here and at this sort of level so has to be kept on the right side while it's about time Larteta was winning over fences though he's disappointed on more than one occasion.
Venetian Lad 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, just about in touch 4 out, no impression and weakened before next, 7th of 8, 43l behind Quite By Chance (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f am hcp ch 0-115 (4) gd.
The Sneezer (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Led to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 10, 22l behind Aficionado (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Popaflora 8-1 (11-1) Hedl up towards rear, blundered badly 5th, headway after 8th, not fluent next, lost place after 12th, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Ladfromhighworth (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
Mister Wiseman 6-1 (10-1) Prominent, effort to challenge after 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression approaching next, 3rd and beaten when left 2nd at last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Arkaim (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
George Nympton (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, weakened from 6 out, 5th of 10, 23l behind Malibu Sun (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Larteta (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced in 4th after 4 out, no impression from next, left 3rd at last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Snowell (11-8) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Julie Prince (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair in touch, struggling when hit 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by American Life (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
