held up, blundered 8th, pulled up quickly after
mid-division and pulled early, ridden 4 out, no impression after
led until mistake 1st, with leaders, not fluent 2nd, pecked 8th, ridden 9th, weakened 4 out
held up last, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, chased leader 4th, led 9th, ridden clear approaching 3 out, readily
chased leader, led 1st to 9th, ridden 4 out, one pace from 3 out
The Evan Williams-trained Warpath was well held on his only previous start over fences when last seen in May and is hard to back on that evidence so a better bet may be Templer, who gets the vote over Michabo. The last mentioned has a bit to find on official ratings but Peter Bowen's gelding is race fit and showed promise on his chasing debut at Stratford earlier this month. Brendan Powell's Count Kristo has a fitness advantage over his rivals but needs to improve to trouble the judge, while Looks The Business looks to be out of his depth. Silverhay showed progressive form over hurdles last term and could be of interest on his chasing debut but preference is for the Phillip Hobbs-trained Templer who has a similar profile but is bred for this game and should improve further now that he goes chasing.
Count Kristo 25-1 (11-6) Towards rear, mistake 4th, headway and chased leaders 6th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Go Free (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Looks The Business (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) In touch, led 4 out, ridden when headed soon after 3 out, weakened, 6th of 12, 21l behind Red Moor (11-3) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Michabo (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed last, hard ridden and rallied, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Left Hand Drive (10-7) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (3) gd.
Silverhay 10-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden 5th, stayed on, 5th of 12, 14l behind Cottingham (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Aug.
Templer (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Blaeberry (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Warpath (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, headed when not fluent 14th, weakening when jumped right 2 out, 4th of 8, 34l behind Ice Tea (11-0) at Bangor 3m nov chs (4) gd in May.
