chased leaders, weakened 12th
held up in rear, never jumped well, under pressure halfway, pulled up 5 out
pulled hard in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, led approaching last, idled flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, lost place halfway, soon beaten
led until 7th, led again 9th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
chased leaders, effort 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 7th, headed 9th, every chance when mistake 3 out, led approaching and mistake next, headed before last, no extra
in touch, hard driven 11th, weakened 5 out
The versatile CITY PRESS can take the closing event. A dual bumper winner on the all-weather earlier this year, he ran well over hurdles at Southwell last month and can race off a 3lb lower mark now back over fences. Warren Greatrex' charge is preferred to Whistling Senator, a losing favourite at Doncaster last time having gone very close at Wetherby before that. Upton Mead continues to improve and won a novices handicap at Kempton last time while the inconsistent Rossbrin could also figure if posting one of his better efforts.
Rossbrin (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 9th, hit 12th and lost place, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep, 12 ran.
Samenerve (FR) 10-3 (10-9) Led until approaching 7th, chased leaders, driven 11th, weakened 3 out, fell next, in a race won by Opera Og (10-12) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
City Press (IRE) 6-5fav (11-10) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Limpopo Tom (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, well beaten after 7th, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Earcomesthedream (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Global Flyer 15-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5 out, went 4th last, one pace, 4th of 13, 5l behind Blazing Bull (10-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Roseneath (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in 6th, headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 14th, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Whispering Jack (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Whistling Senator (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) In rear, soon in touch, went 3rd before 5 out, ridden and well held from 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Toby Belch (11-2) at Doncaster 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Kauto The Roc (FR) 17-2 (10-13) Mid-division, not fluent and lost place 10th, behind next, pulled up after 12th, in a race won by King Jack (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Upton Mead (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up in last pair, headway to chase leader 9th, reminder before 11th, lost 2nd next, driven before left 2nd 3 out, rallied under pressure and 1 length down last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Run Along Boy (11-9) by nk, 7 ran.
