held up in rear, mistake and hampered 8th, never in contention, went modest 4th approaching 2 out
led, bumped 5th, headed next, led again 7th, jumped right and headed 2 out, driven to hold every chance final 100 yards, just held
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 6th, went 2nd 9th, challenged 3 out, led next, hard pressed final 100 yards, all out
prominent, not fluent 4th or 6th, hit 8th, weakened 4 out
prominent, jumped left, bumped 5th, led next until 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
raced in 6th, reminder after 4th, headway approaching next, every chance 4 out, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, fell 8th
held up in rear, hampered 8th, behind approaching 4 out, ran on flat, never dangerous
Balnagore is handily weighted but his fencing is still a cause for concern. Sedgefield winner Tahiti Pearl needs to bounce back from a poor run at Uttoxeter but Bhaltair must be worth another chance over fences despite failing to justify favouritism at Bangor in August. Cresswell Bramble is another having only her second start over the larger obstacles while Kings Grey tackles fences for the first time and might need the experience. UP TO THE MARK won at Stratford in March and ran a lot better than the final result suggests when fourth on his reappearance at Bangor. He can improve again to land this.
Kings Grey (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In rear, headway 5 out, chased clear leaders next, soon under pressure, never on terms, 8th of 14, well behind Realt Mor (10-13) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Up To The Mark 8-1 (11-9) In touch, led 3rd, jumped right and headed next, chased leader, lost place 8th, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 9, 23l behind Restezen D'armor (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Bhaltair (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in 3rd, took keen hold, closed 7th, hampered approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Grandads Horse (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cond nov hdl (4) gf.
Moscow Chancer (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Behind, weakened 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up 11th, in a race won by Wyck Hill (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Cresswell Bramble 16-1 (10-10) Led, clear 6th until approaching 4 out where mistake, headed 3 out, stayed in 2nd but no chance with winner, lost 2nd 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 17l behind Havingotascoobydo (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gd.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistakes, outpaced 7th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Pumboo (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Sep.
Balnagore 8-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 8th until mistake 4 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent 2 out, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Quite The Man (11-12) at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep.
Celtic Ballad (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Prominent, until ridden and weakened from 9th, 6th of 9, well behind Montana Gold (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
