tracked leaders, led approaching 8th, blundered badly 2 out, soon headed, not recover
held up in touch, chased leader from 9th, left in lead 2 out, soon clear, driven out
led, headed approaching 8th, weakened from 5 out
held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, lost place from 8th
with leader, ridden 9th, outpaced, chased clear pair 5 out, left 2nd approaching last, kept on flat
held up towards rear, lost place approaching 8th
held up in rear, hampered 6th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Mandingo Chief, Karo de Vindecy and Ranelagh Gray are the three to look at here and Mandingo Chief, a recent winner, is taken to defy top weight.Karo de Vindecy has not won in his last eleven contests but he has slipped down the handicap and has been placed on his last two starts, albeit in seemingly modest affairs. He looks sure to be threreabouts but may have to settle for a place again. Ranelagh Gray was travelling well when coming to grief on his chasing bow at Fontwell last December and he has been seen only twice since, both over hurdles. He won one of those, springing a 33-1 shock, and may be attractively treated here. He ran well when fresh last year and is respected. Mandingo Chief is racing off a twelve pound higher mark than when scoring at Wetherby last time but he was impressive that day and can follow up. Mandingo Chief is consistent and has trip and ground to suit.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 7-2 (10-2) With leaders, led 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating New Alco (11-12) by 12l, 9 ran.
Arumun (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led 2nd to 5th, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
Waterspray (AUS) 8-1 (11-9) Held up, mistake 4th, lost touch after 8th, tailing off when blundered 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Cheeky Lad (9-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Ranelagh Gray (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led until after 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 8l behind Always Waining (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) In touch to 10th, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Civil Gent (9-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Chevalier Errant (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, mistake and lost place 10th, headway 14th, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 10l behind Catch The Perk (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept.
Karo de Vindecy (FR) 3-1 (10-3) In touch, headway to lead approaching 7th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced flat, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Kerry's Blade (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Mister Magnum (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Held up, headway 14th, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 25l behind Tee-Jay (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f chs 0-90 (5) gd.
