prominent, led 5th, ridden 3 out, headed, held final 100 yards
held up, ridden and hit 3 out when weakening
close up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leader, lost place 9th
led to 5th, chased leader, ridden, weakened 10th
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up, headway to track leaders 9th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, kept on to lead final 100 yards
Abragante can make amends for his last-fence fall at Cheltenham last week, with College Ace, Dead Mans Dante and Turgeonev seen as the main dangers. David Pipe has already made his mark, stepping into the old man's shoes to mop up a couple of decent races already this term, and it looks as though the Edward Hanmer will be going back to Pond House as well, judged on Abragante's unlucky outing at Cheltenham nine days ago. Cruising on the home turn, he was going just as well as Butler's Cabin when making his first mistake at the very final fence. It is difficult to say whether he would have found extra up the hill, but we shall give him the benefit of the doubt. This flatter track will suit, and with the age allowance to help, Abragante should go close. College Ace is the same age but has to shoulder more weight as a result of his past exploits, while Dead Mans Dante needs to brush up his jumping. That leaves Turgeonev who is always likely to pop up in a race of this nature, but he too has his fair share of weight despite being much better handicapped these days. Abragante did not achieve much over hurdles, but is set to make a name for himself by landing this time-honoured prize today.
Turgeonev (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders to 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 41l behind Mandingo Chief (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
The Outlier (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened on long run to last, finished tired, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Mokum (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
College Ace (IRE) 5-4 (11-7) Prominent, led approaching 7th, hit next, clear 3 out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Flemens River (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Topinambour (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, 5th of 7, well behind Knowhere (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Sept.
Bannister Lane 16-1 (11-9) Soon tracking leaders, chased winner 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 9, 23l behind Strong Resolve (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hit 8th, smooth headway 13th, going well in 4th when fell 3 out in race won by Strong Resolve (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Cassia Heights 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Strong Resolve (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Abragante (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, upsides and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Butler's Cabin (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
