disputed lead, outright lead after 5th, challenged before 2 out, headed before last, weakened final furlong
in rear, pushed along after 4 out, weakened from 3 out, made no impression
midfield, headway to chase leader before 4 out, pushed along and slightly short of room before 2 out, weakened after the last
disputed lead, headed after 5th, pushed along before 2 out, narrow lead jumping the last, stayed on strongly final furlong
midfield, lost ground and pushed along after 3 out, made no impression
in rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, disputed lead when jumping 2 out, pushed along approaching the last, kept on one pace final furlong
NonRunner
THAHAB IFRAJ recorded an overdue success over course and distance last month. Despite a 4lb rise, he is still on a decent mark and can give supporters a run for their money again. Swaffham Bulbeck is interesting as he reverts to hurdles only a pound higher than when successful at Newcastle in April of last year. Peltwell is useful when the obstacles don’t get in the way and Bucko's Boy was a wide-margin winner at Newton Abbot two runs ago. Denable is on a hat-trick and Soul Icon is on a four-timer but both are upped in grade and the weights.
Swaffham Bulbeck (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Prominent, tracked leaders after 4f, headway to lead entering final 3f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Yagan (10-2) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Peltwell (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Bucko's Boy 2-1 (11-11) Led, pushed along before 2 out, jumped left 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra final 50yds, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Elham Valley (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Soul Icon 2-7fav (11-2) Travelled strongly made all, went well clear after 3 out, eased run in,very easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Genuflex (11-5) by 34l, 3 ran.
Thahab Ifraj (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division, went 3rd 3 out, pressed leader before 2 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and faced strong challenge omitted last, stayed on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Technological (10-9) by nk, 7 ran.
Denable 5-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway before 2 out, 2nd after 2 out, led last, quickened readily clear run-in, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Henri Le Bon (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kannapolis (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, bad mistake 3rd, recovered to dispute lead 5th, pushed along and headed narrowly 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Zabeel Champion (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
