tracked leader until soon after 3 out, weakening when hit next
led and soon clear, ridden and reduced lead 3 out, headed before next, plugged on
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, hit 6th, weakening when sprawled on landing 3 out, pulled up next
held up in rear, headway when hit 3 out and went left, led before next, clear when jumped left at last, eased near finish
close up, ridden 3 out, plugged on same pace
Vulcanite is probably better over fences nowadays and Man Of Leisure has also been in action over the larger obstacles. Hidden Identity has improved over the summer judged on her victory at Chepstow last month but BROADWAY BUFFALO travelled strongly on his reappearance in a much better race in the Welsh track and will strip fitter here. He was well backed that day and could be one to follow this winter. Zuider Zee is another who should win more races this term and Salmanazar was a progressive sort last season, though tackling decent company on his return from a break.
Vulcanite (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 8th, lost place 10th, blundered badly 4 out, some progress when blundered 2 out, weakened, 11th of 16, 27l behind Johns Spirit (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Broadway Buffalo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Held up in touch, good headway to chase leaders after 4th, led before 4 out, ridden and pressed when mistake and headed last, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace in 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Shammick Boy (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Man Of Leisure 16-1 (11-6) Held up in last, not fluent 5th or 6th, in touch next, outpaced after 2 out, no extra when not fluent last, weakened flat, last of 6, 20l behind Saint Roque (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Zuider Zee (GER) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th, blundered 4th and 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, went left and not fluent 2 out, went modest 3rd from last, 3rd of 4, 22l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Salmanazar 7-2 (11-6) Chased leader until 2nd, chased leading pair, went 2nd again 6th, mistake next, led before 3 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Le Reve (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Hidden Identity (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in last pair, headway on inside when hampered 2 out (normal 3 out), chased leaders bypassing omitted 2 out, went 2nd before led last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Oct beating Open Day (11-3) by nk, 12 ran.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leader until after 10th, blundered and lost place 12th, tailed off when went left final 3, 8th of 10, well behind Prince Of Pirates (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb.
