tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon beaten, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
led until hit 5th, tracked winner, no impression after 3 out, just held on for 2nd
tracked leaders, jumped left, hit 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd when mistake 2 out, plugged on approaching last, almost got 2nd
chased leaders, pecked 1st, lost place 2nd, mistake next, no impression after, went remote 4th flat
held up in rear and not jumped well, never in contention
with leader, led after 5th, drew clear after 3 out, stayed on well
mid-division, hit 1st, headway 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 4 out
not always fluent, held up, always well in rear
Viable ran poorly here last time out and is opposable with Grand Lahou also avoided off a mark that looks too high, but Sunday City has claims after a creditable run at Stratford. Fighting Chance pulled up when he was last seen in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham and his mark may also be a shade too high. AWARD WINNER looked less than impressive at Fontwell on reappearance after a summer vacation, but Tony McCoy is booked for the ride and Brendan Powell is a shrewd trainer who has booked the champion for four of his gelding's five wins. The trainer is also 2-4 with entries over the fences here this year and we side with his option to add to that tally. Marc Of Brilliance pulled up last time to cast doubts over his fitness but at his best he could challenge. Arctic Ben is worth considering on his chasing debut, with Knight Legend who has won Grade 2 and Grade 3 chases earlier in his career potentially a big player if he can find the pick of his ability.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Led until mistake 4th, prominent until 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Grand Lahou (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Led and jumped right throughout, jumped right and headed when blundered badly 5 out, not recover, left 4th 4 out, 4th of 9, 25l behind Drever Route (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Knight Legend (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, pushed along when hampered 9th, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 11l behind West With The Wind (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Aug.
Viable 8-1 (10-13) Held up behind, headway and in touch 8th, lost place next, behind when mistake 10th, no danger after, tailed off 2 out, 7th of 9, well behind Songe (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Award Winner 7-1 (11-0) In rear, pecked badly 1st, mistake and lost touch 9th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Alesandro Mantegna (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Sunday City (JPN) 9-2 (11-6) With leader, led 5th until next, stayed challenging, left in lead 3 out, driven and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Minella Theatre (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Marc of Brilliance (USA) 5-1 (10-5) Tended to jump right, in rear, lost touch after 4th, tailed off 8th and pulled up, in a race won by Alesandro Mantegna (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 7 ran.
High Bird Humphrey 8-1 (10-3) Close up on outer, jumped left 5th, challenged 2 out, upsides last, ridden flat, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Amir Pasha (9-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Held up in rear, headway after 4th, went 3rd before next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 10l behind William's Wishes (11-5) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
