behind, headway 15th, chasing leaders when blundered 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, mistake next, driven to challenge after 2 out, kept on well
mid-division, slow 1st, mistakes 4th and 13th, headway 3 out, chased leaders after next, never able to challenge
held up, headway 13th, soon chasing leaders, weakened 3 out
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon no impression
made all, jumped well, stayed on strongly
mid-division, reminders 11th, headway 15th, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, mistake 13th, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, weakened last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
River Icon finished runner-up over 2m4f here when last over fences and this longer trip should suit. He can figure in the finish though MILITARIAN (NAP) looks to have the stronger form. The latter wasn’t beaten far when fourth at Uttoxeter last time and the runner-up has won both subsequent starts. He gets the nod to come good in this with Geronimo looking a threat if taking to the larger obstacles having finished second in all four outings over hurdles. Talkofgold, Durbanville and Little Bruce are other winners over timber though the latter was well beaten on his chasing bow.
River Icon 9-2 (9-8) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 13 3/4l behind The Knot Is Tied (8-6) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Militarian 3-1jfav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, went 4th before next, kept on under pressure flat, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Jassas (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Geronimo 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 4th between last 2, no impression until switched towards stands side rail and stayed on to chase winner inside final 110 yards, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Chicoria (11-5) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
Talkofgold (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Chased leader until 6th, chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, lost 3rd at the last, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Pat's Oscar (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f (4) hvy in Sep.
Durbanville 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind The Delray Munky (11-10) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Little Bruce (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) With winner, led 2nd to 9th, tracked winner, ridden and lost place before last, well held in 4th flat, 4th of 9, 18l behind Loch Linnhe (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Le Drapeau (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Slowly away and early reminders, soon chased leaders, driven 4 out, never on terms, weakened flat, 9th of 18, 26l behind Aspen Colorado (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Classical Milano (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Keen in mid-division, hit 4th, headway on outside approaching 11th, weakened before 15th, 9th of 11, dist behind Sharp Response (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Cash To Ash (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, stumbled badly on landing 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 17l behind Allfredandnobell (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Late Date (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, towards rear 3 out, some progress but no chance with leaders when not fluent and stumbled last, 5th of 11, 21 1/2l behind Le Braye (11-7) at Perth 3m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
