held up in touch, mistake 9th, improved to go 3rd 4 out, chased winner last, ridden and unable to quicken flat
led, hit 2nd, tracked leader after, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
with leader, led 2nd, ridden and mistake 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, weakened next
held up in rear, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
tracked leaders, chased leader 8th, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, hung right flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Highland Chief gets the confident vote here with Lake Imperial and Sir Laughalot rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Najca De Thaix with plenty in hand. Granted he has a penalty for that win but he is unexposed over fences, has conditions to suit and he is taken to win again. Lake Imperial rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Dad's Elect but the step up in trip has to be a worry and he is taken on with this in mind. Sir Laughalot is another that could go well on his latest second behind Armagh South but he may just need the run after a 205-day break. John Diamond did not progress as expected last season but goes well fresh and if he improves for the fitting of first-time cheekpieces he will not be far away. Of the remainder Chase The Sunset is sure to have come on for his latest run but he looks to have plenty of weight for what he has actually achieved and with this in mind Highland Chief is taken to win again.
Sir Laughalot 7-2 (11-10) Held up last, in touch, headway to track leaders 9th, ridden to challenge by passing 2 out, hung right and went 2nd flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Armagh South (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Chase The Sunset (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, jumped right from 7th, behind from 4 out, 6th of 8, 22l behind Cape Stormer (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Major Euro (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Keen in mid-division, headway 5th, led next, ridden and headed after 3 out, gradually faded, 6th of 14, 21l behind Mistified (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Raced wide, jumped slowly 3rd, always in rear, 9th of 13, 42l behind Baodai (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Highland Chief (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, going well 10th, led 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Najca De Thaix (11-4) by 16l, 10 ran.
John Diamond (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, behind when mistake last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Spring Margot (FR) 25-1 (11-11) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 45l behind Jim Edwards (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Lake Imperial (IRE) 5-2fav (10-1) Tracked leader, led briefly 3 out, ridden and weakened last, 4th of 10, 6l behind Dad's Elect (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
