led to 2nd, remained close up, one pace from last
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, stayed on well from last
held up, hit 3 out, soon weakened
close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up and keen, weakened 8th
close up, hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 7th, outpaced from 3 out
held up and keen, headway and every chance approaching 2 out, one pace from last
close up, led after 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
close up, led 2nd, headed soon after, weakened after 3 out
Word Of Warning and Bulwark will provide the chief opposition, but the progressive HIGH GALES is taken to back up his recent success. Tony McCoy has been runner-up on board the selection both times they have combined and so hopefully the pair can go one better now. This trip and a sound surface suit the Presenting gelding, who was the very easy winner of a Stratford maiden hurdle last time, but is taken to carry a penalty to success now back with the novices. Word Of Warning has a similar profile to the selection based on his career to date and he destroyed his field in a Bangor maiden before following up at Sedgefield. Conditions and trip are no problem and even with a penalty he looks a serious danger. Bulwark was good enough to land the Chester Cup in 2008 from a mark of 95, but in spite of a Towcester success he has struggled to transfer his ability to this sphere and we'll take him on. Civil Servant is steadily improving for Nigel Twiston-Davies and his running last time suggested that this trip would be ideal, although he has a bit to prove after being well beaten when previously tried over this far. Seraphim Knight and Powerful Beat both need to show more and High Gales can blow them away.
Bulwark (IRE) 11-8fav (10-13) In touch, blundered badly and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Billie Magern (11-3) at Stratford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Aug, 7 ran.
High Gales (IRE) 4-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, won at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Mouseen (10-9) by 9l, 13 ran.
Brochure (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders early, dropped towards rear before 3rd, pulled up after 3rd, in a race won by Media Queen (11-2) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Jul, 13 ran.
Dunbrody House 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, close up, ridden and hit 6th, weakened next, 5th of 9, 24l behind Mission Control (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Give Us The Nod 100-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, 8th of 12, well behind Word Of Warning (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Powerfullbeat 10-1 (10-9) Disputed lead to over 5f out, chased winner after, kept on, readily held final 2f, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Pure Faith (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Aug.
Seraphim Knight (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3rd until before 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Danetime Panther (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Tiermore (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 14l behind Bennys Quest (10-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 8Evens09 gf in Jun.
Civil Servant 5-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, driven along approaching 2 out, kept on well from last, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Danetime Panther (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Scotsbrook Cloud 200-1 (10-6) Mistake 1st, in rear, some late moderate headway, 9th of 15, 50l behind Danetime Panther (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Kielder Rise 8-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off after 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Shiwawa (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Word of Warning 15-8 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leader after 3 out, led last, stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Desert Soul (10-9) by 4l, 8 ran.