led, mistake 15th, headed 17th, led after 18th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, last 16th, mistake 3 out, modest progress before 2 out, no chance with leaders, soon well beaten
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th or 9th, headway before next, close up 15th, jumped slowly and lost place 18th, soon closed again, jumped right 4 out, chased winner after not being fluent 3 out, no impression from next
never far away, bumped 3rd, led 17th, headed after 18th, led next, clear from 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leader until 4th, in touch, jumped slowly 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, hit 4th, not fluent 17th, ridden and closed 21st, hit 3 out, 3rd and well beaten 2 out
in rear, jumped left and not fluent, behind 5th, mistake 12th, bad mistake 13th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, mistake next, hit 13th, mistake 19th, struggling from next, pulled up before 2 out
This will take some getting and there's enough of a concern that Rhum might not get home under topweight to look elsewhere although his overall level of form ensures a place on the shortlist. He did tire late on last time though over half a mile shorter, whereas DESPERATE DEX continues to confirm his ability to handle long-distance slogs despite having advanced to the venerable age of 13. He shaped well on reappearance over an inadequate trip at Stratford and this rates a good opportunity for the George inmate. Soudain would probably have been the selection as he remains progressive over fences and long trips but this is his first run since mid-April and he is somewhat reluctantly passed over. Arkose ran a strange sort of race last time when staying on late to claim the minor placing at Exeter and is interesting if staying, but Bally Sands warrants stronger consideration now he has conditions in his favour.
Rhum (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Led, driven from 3 out, edged left and headed after next, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 10l behind Global Power (11-1) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led until 3rd, led 7th, headed 3 out, no chance with winner when lost 2 places last, 4th of 8, 12l behind Danandy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Oct.
Arkose (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up behind in touch, struggling 11th, stayed on to take moderate 3rd 3 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Gas Line Boy (11-9) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Soudain (FR) 9-2fav (10-7) Behind, headway and in touch 17th, ridden 3 out, went 3rd between last 2, never troubled front pair, 3rd of 13, 21l behind Flying Award (11-1) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Bally Sands (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Guess Again (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs, 9 ran.
Smart Exit (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd 8th, blundered next, led on bend before 2 out, about 2 lengths up when blundered badly 2 out, headed before last, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Days Of Pleasure (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
One More Dinar 33-1 (10-1) Held up, behind from 12th, mistake 14th, well beaten when jumped left next, pulled up after, in a race won by Guess Again (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs, 9 ran.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 12th, lost 2nd next, ridden and beaten when blundered 4 out, left in poor 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 5, 43l behind Waltzing Tornado (11-8) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft.
