led after 1st, ridden 2 out, just over 1 lenght up when not fluent and lost footing on landing last, soon headed, no extra
led, jumped slowly 1st and headed, not fluent 5th, bumped and fell 7th
tracked leader after 1st, sometimes jumped left, challenging when outjumped 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, just over 1 lenght down when pitched slightly on landing last, soon led, driven out
Stage Acclaim may well have beaten The Wife's Pet at Huntingdon last time had he not hung right up the home straight. Richard Newland's six-year-old has plenty of experience over fences but may struggle to give 7lb to RED HARBOUR. Paul Nicholls' gelding was only beaten a head by Siberian Tiger on his debut over the larger obstacles at Haydock in May and could be the type to run up a sequence in this grade in the autumn. Khorun won at Perth in July but was well beaten at Hereford next time and only fourth in a seller over hurdles last time. He faces a stiff task at the weights here.
Khorun (GER) 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, not fluent 7th, hampered on bend before 3 out, challenging when mistake 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 7, 23l behind American Art (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Left in lead 1st, knuckled on landing and headed 10th, rallied to lead again before 2 out, veered right last, jockey lost iron briefly, hung right and soon headed, held after, straightened up and stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind The Wifes Pet (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Red Harbour (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, took closer order 4 out, led next, clear last, headed last strides, no extra, 2nd of 4, hd behind Siberian Tiger (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in May.
