led to 5th, prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leader, led 5th to approaching 10th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, eased close home
in touch, headway 9th, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, blundered 2nd, jumped right from 7th, behind from 4 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out
prominent, hit 3rd, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
behind, mistake 6th and 8th, no impression
prominent, chased leader 9th, led approaching 10th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra
Cape Stormer has been in great form this term but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper and Nick Gifford's 12-year-old may have to settle for minor honours again, with preference for Fieldsofclover who gets the vote over Basic Fact. The last mentioned has struggled against the handicapper since winning at Huntingdon in January but may do better now returned to the larger obstacles. Richard Ford's Topinambour has slipped back to a fair mark, while Chase The Sunset has yet to translate hurdles form to fences. The vote then goes to Emma Lavelle's Fieldsofclover who has shown progressive form over fences and should strip fitter for his recent return over hurdles.
Fieldsofclover (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Led, headed 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Red Moor (11-3) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Cape Stormer (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Soon chasing leaders, effort 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Spare Change (9-10) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Topinambour (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, last of 4, well behind Some Touch (11-9) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Chase The Sunset (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up, always in rear, 13th of 20, 48l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May '06.
Opium Du Bois (FR) (10-8) Fell 6 out behind Outaouais (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f chs sft in Sept '06, 13 ran.
Romany Dream 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 2l behind Apadi (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Master T (USA) 12-1 (11-5) Held up last, pecked 2nd, mistake 6th, ridden after 10th, mistake 11th, soon lost touch, 4th of 5, 32l behind Cape Stormer (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Basic Fact (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up, hit 5th, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 8l behind Scots Grey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.