held up in rear, fell heavily 3rd
tracked leading pair, went right 3rd, outpaced when hit 4 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to press for modest 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner
tracked leader, disputed lead from 7th, led 4 out, clear when went left 2 out and again last, stayed on, comfortably
held up in 4th until fell heavily 4th
led, joined 7th, headed 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden before next, no chance with winner after, just held on for modest 2nd closing stages
Winners seem to have temporarily dried up for the Skelton yard and Golden Vision took a backward step when joint favourite at Sedgefield in August but Notre Ami is an interesting recruit to chasing as he had decent form over hurdles off similar marks. Mcgroarty has struggled this year but is a winner between the flags, as is Sad Eyed Dylan. TIKKINTHEBOX is on a high enough mark now but has the form in the book and that experience could help him get back in the winner’s enclosure.
Notre Ami (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 15th of 20, 19 1/4l behind Ballymoy (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Chased leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 7 1/4l behind I'dliketheoption (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, ridden and weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Mellow Ben (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Golden Vision (FR) 11-4jfav (11-12) Held up, effort 2 out, ridden weakened flat, 5th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Ink Master (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Sad Eyed Dylan 20-1 (10-12) Led, headed just after 2 out, rallied flat, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Henry Smith (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Aug.
