tracked leader, led approaching 7th, headed 3out, one pace
chased leaders, reminders halfway, ridden 4 out, one pace from next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened next
led to 7th, remained prominent to 12th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway to track leaders 8th, led 3 out, stayed on strongly
Toulouse Express has been put up 13lb for his all-the-way win over a longer trip at Sedgefield last month. That may be an over-reaction by the handicapper as that wasn't a strong race and Bob Johnson's veteran must be worth opposing here. Stormion may just need this and Desertmore Star's record under Rules is abysmal so we'll give a final chance to CLOUDY DAWN. Sue Smith's grey looked to be travelling like a winner when running out over C&D eight days ago. He's undeniably well treated if he gets his act together and should take all the beating today if that mishap hasn't left a mark. Sailor's Sovereign is hard to win with but looks best of the rest.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Made all, took keen hold, soon clear, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep beating Solway Dornal (9-11) by 20l, 8 ran.
Stormion (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Made most until 6th, led after next, not fluent 2 out, headed after last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Not Talking (10-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Desertmore Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chsd ldrs til outpcd aft 3 out, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Itzacliche (11-0) at Tranwell 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Eco Boxer (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed when fell 3 out, in a race won by Points of View (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Jun, 4 ran.
Cloudy Dawn 4-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 13th, with leader 16th, led when ran out 3 out, in a race won by Quetzal (11-9) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep, 9 ran.
Sailor's Sovereign 7-4 (10-0) Prominent, ridden 2out, stayed on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 4, hd behind Kilvergan Boy (11-5) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Aug.