took keen hold, chased leaders, not fluent 4th, 2nd briefly last bend, not fluent last, lost 3rd and no extra flat
led until 2nd, led 4th, shaken up to go a few lengths clear before 2 out, in no danger after, stayed on
chased leaders, went 3rd flat, unable to trouble leading pair
mid-division, took keen hold, closed before 5th, went 2nd next, ridden before 2 out, went right last, unable to trouble winner, stayed on
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 5th, weakened from 3 out
took keen hold, chased leader, jumped left at times, led 2nd, headed 4th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, well beaten from 3 out
Golden Taipan only weakened at the last over 2m4f at Aintree in June and is rated 10lb superior to Carry On, exposed in novice company last time at Kelso, but Fergal O’Brien’s charge may not have appreciated recent rain. The interesting one is hurdling newcomer GET BACK GET BACK, three times a winner on the Flat. He would also have a bit to prove if the ground turned soft but is getting 6lb from the two previous winners and Harry Fry puts a hood on his charge to help him concentrate. Roundhead has also won over 1m4f on the Flat and will have needed a recent pipe-opener following wind surgery at Windsor.
Carry On 5-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge on inside when not much room between last 2, soon ridden, upsides when mistake last, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Lucky Flight (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Led until after 2nd, led and jumped right 3rd, headed before 5th, not fluent 7th, led after 4 out, headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Arakhan (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gs in Jun.
Bromance 25-1 (8-2) Took keen hold, prominent on outside, led over 8f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Home Before Dusk (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Get Back Get Back (IRE) 2-1fav (10-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Galileo Silver (9-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Golconda Prince (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 16l behind Jupiter (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Laqab (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Dwelt, always behind, outpaced final 2f, 13th of 14, 14l behind Corked (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Roundhead 20-1 (9-12) Steadied start, always in rear, last of 6, 13 1/2l behind Culture (9-7) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Maytheorsebewithu (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pressing for 4th at the 6th, well beaten from 3 out, 6th of 7, 30 3/4l behind Shut The Box (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gs in Mar.
