in rear, mistake 4th, never dangerous
never a factor
tracked leaders, disputed lead 3rd, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and weakening when mistake 2 out, fell last
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led, disputed lead 3rd, headed 4th, led again 3 out, weakening when headed 2 out
held up rear, driven from 8th, ridden and headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, challenged flat, held on
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, narrowly headed last, ran on flat
held up, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden 2 out, weakened last
Rare Gold is preferred to Spuradich and Return Home. Rare Gold won an Irish point before arriving at the stables of Robert Alner and having won a maiden over hurdles over further, it is interesting that connections are dropping him back in trip although on the positive, he is a confirmed front-runner. Spuradich has had his chances over hurdles but has made an unfortunate habit of finding one too good. There remain serious questions about his stamina so the market is watched. Return Home has placed in his two most recent starts but has shown his better form with softer going. Stoneyford Ben is switched to fences after losing a battle with the handicapper over hurdles. Goldbrook is a previous winner over chase fences but has become frustrating. Cash Back would have to improve markedly on his hurdling form to be a factor. Matt The Thrasher makes his British debut for Evan Williams. A trappy affair in which Rare Gold is given the tentative vote.
Cash Back 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out, 6th of 11, 38l behind Majestic Vision (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Goldbrook 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 1st, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 24l behind Terrible Tenant (10-4) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid division, 5th 5 out, ridden and weakened from next, 12th of 16, well behind Glentorpe (11-10) at Wexford 2m 4f hacp hdl gf in Jul.
Rare Gold (IRE) 1-4fav (11-2) Led 2nd, briefly headed before 6th, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Lookafterme (11-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Return Home 9-4fav (10-11) Held up, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Tommy Spar (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Aug.
Spuradich (IRE) 11-8 (10-11) Tracked leader, led briefly 3rd, hit 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed after last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Kings Quay (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Stoneyford Ben (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led, headed 2nd, led 5th, headed 9th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Amicelli (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept.
Talikos (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 25, 47l behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
