chased leader, not fluent 5th, led after 11th, hit 3 out, ridden and headed when stumbled slightly 2 out, soon no chance with winner, finished tired
held up and behind, headway 12th, went 2nd 13th, led going well approaching 2 out, ridden clear when mistake last, easily
held up, mistake 12th, struggling from next, went moderate 3rd 2 out
not always fluent, held up, pecked 6th, behind from 10th
prominent to 2nd, ridden 7th, soon struggling, mistake 9th, soon pulled up
held up, jumped slowly 10th, not fluent 11th, never on terms
led and clear until approaching 8th, headed after 11th, pecked 12th, weakened 3 out
Whispered Secret lines up fit and fancied and should complete a hat-trick at the expense of Duke of Buckingham and Peccadillo. It would appear folly to look elsewhere than Martin Pipe's challenger as the answer on the evidence so far, the six-year-old having proved to be a model of consistency this season. Successful over hurdles here in June, he has taken well to fences, and won with a great deal of authority at Newton Abbot at the end of last month. He might not have beaten much, but the way that he galloped on through a heavy rain storm showed his resilience, and if Tony McCoy decides to go out in front today, it is hard to see anything in this line-up pegging him back. Duke of Buckingham is not the horse that he promised to be as a novice but has performed well of late and can again be in the shake-up along with Peccadillo, winner of this race twice and a horse that goes well fresh. He will have been well prepared again, but this looks safely left to Whispered Secret.
Whispered Secret (GER) 5-6fav (11-5) Chased leader, joined leader 5th, led next, in command from 3 out, eased flat, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (E) gf in Aug beating Kings Brook (10-12) by 14l, 3 ran.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and chased leaders 4 out, ran on well to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Tamango (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Aug.
Cameron Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden when not fluent 8th, weakened next, 6th of 8, 32l behind Xellance (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf.
Bronzesmith 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway on bit 9th, led briefly after 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 16, 4l behind Tamango (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Aug.
Peccadillo (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leader until after 11th, mistake and dropped rear next, tailling off when blundered 16th, last of 5, well behind Inca Trail (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Mar.
Toi Express (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden after 11th, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dead-Eyed Dick (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf.
True Mariner (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Behind, headway approaching 7th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Sachsenwalzer (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (E) gd in Aug.
