took keen hold, tracked leaders, mistake 1st, jumped slowly 8th, not much room before 2 out, stayed on well flat, led towards finish
chased leader, hit 7th and 9th, bumped 4 out, every chance 2 out, lost place last
held up in 4th, closed 11th, hampered 4 out, one pace and switched left after 2 out, hung right and stayed on flat, went 3rd close home
raced freely, led, mistake 3rd, jumped left next, hit 4 out, headed last, one pace flat
held up in last pair, closed 12th, not fluent 4 out or 3 out, no impression before next
jumped left at times, held up in 5th, closed 12th, hampered 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, headed towards finish
gave trouble before start, held up in last pair, headway 12th, mistake 4 out, outpaced after next, rallied last, stayed on same pace flat
Nonrunner
Neil Mulholland's string is going well and there looked to be more in the locker when ASHCOTT BOY (NAP) won at Worcester last week. He held an entry at Sedgefield yesterday and if turning up here another victory looks on the cards. Keychain has been thereabouts over hurdles lately and has won over fences so is probably the danger ahead of the frustrating Blackwood Rover. Dr Anubis is a long way out of the handicap proper and Kayfton Pete has regressed since finishing second at Kempton in May.
Kayfton Pete 20-1 (11-4) Led to before 6th, soon ridden and lost place, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind A Little Bit Dusty (11-4) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Aug.
Try Catch Me (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, hit 6th, not fluent 8th, mistake 11th, losing place when not fluent 13th, well beaten after 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Badgers Retreat (10-10) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Keychain (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Tracked winner, ridden after 2 out, no impression and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Lee Side Lady (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Led 2nd, headed narrowly 11th, hit 13th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Vent Nivernais (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, hard driven approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Thoresby (11-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Blackwood Rover (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders when hampered 9th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd between last 2, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 14l behind The Yank (10-13) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Dr Anubis (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, in 3rd before 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 17 1/4l behind Shady Lane (11-10) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Ashcott Boy 10-3fav (11-8) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear next, edged left and went further clear flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Mon Chevalier (11-12) by 18l, 9 ran.
