made all, jumped well, drew clear after 2 out, ran on strongly, easily
tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, soon under pressure, not fluent last, weakened flat
chased leaders, headway 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on under pressureno chance with winner
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on after last, never on terms
Mulligan's Man - a bumper, hurdles and points winner - was expected to be suited by the switch to fences but has proved most frustrating so far. Rhymers Ha' is also becoming expensive to follow so we'll stick with the proven ability of RISKIER. John Wade's gelding won at Newcastle and Sedgefield in the spring and looks a progressive chaser. He's also gone well here in the past while Prince Tam tends to reserve his best for Newcastle, though was successful at Kelso last season.
Riskier 4-1 (11-4) Soon chased leader, dived at 1st, led 5th, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden on extented run-in, stayed on gamely in closing stages, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May beating Attycran (10-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rhymers Ha' 11-8fav (10-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Twentypoundluck (10-12) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gs in Jul.
Mulligan's Man (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance 2 out, no extra run in, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Lucky Landing (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Aug.
Prince Tam 9-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, challenged 2 out, led before last where jumped left, driven out, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr beating Freddie Brown (11-12) by 4l, 8 ran.