held up, closer order 9th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, slow jump 4th, blundered badly and lost place 7th, closer order 11th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, faded approaching last
towards rear, ridden and headway 15th, fell next
mid-division, blundered 10th, headway soon after, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, left in lead after 16th, pecked 3 out, mistake 2 out, hung right and blundered last, headed soon after, rallied again to lead line
led and jumped left throughout, clear 4th, hit 8th, blundered badly 16th, pulled up soon after
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 12th, weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden 11th, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders throughout, ridden to chase winner 3 out, led soon after last, all out when headed line
always in rear, reminders after 8th
in rear and not jump well, pulled up before 4 out
in rear and keen, mistake 1st, never a danger
Terramarique gets the vote here with Cross The Highman and Reflex Blue rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Windy Spirit and although having a penalty for that win he remains unexposed over fences and under conditions that suit he is taken to defy the handicapper. Cross The Highman rates the main danger on his latest second behind Pam's Oak but he is becoming hard to win with and again he looks vulnerable under top weight. Reflex Blue is another worthy of respect as he won well last time when beating County Final but he has yet to prove he stays this far. Of the remainder, Rash Moment won well last time but this looks more competitive and he will need to improve again to win off this higher mark while Civil Gent looks handily weighted on his best form but continues to be beset by jumping problems. For the winner we will therfore return to the progressive Terramarique.
Cross The Highman (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 8th, chased winner 3 out, hung left last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Pams Oak (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Rakalackey 11-4 (11-5) Held up, mistakes 10th and 13th, blundered next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 33l behind Thistlecraft (11-5) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) gd in Jan.
Rash Moment (FR) 13-2 (9-10) Chased leader, led after 10th, hung right after 2 out, headed last, rallied to lead post, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd beating Incas (11-5) by a shd, 9 ran.
Cristophe 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 14th, ridden 4 out, every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Hehasalife (10-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Terramarique (IRE) 10-11fav (10-2) Tracked leader to 6th, remained handy, went 2nd again 13th, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden out, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Windy Spirit (11-0) by 4l, 9 ran.
Kercabellec (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Always behind, hit 1st, blundered 6th, 5th of 7, 33l behind Schinken Otto (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Reflex Blue 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, rallied after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, in command when left clear 2 out, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 5f beg chs (3) gf beating County Final (11-0) by 12l, 10 ran.
Civil Gent (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Led to 9th, outpaced from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Pams Oak (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
