held up towards rear, headway when mistake 15th, led 2 out, stayed on strongly
jumped right, led 12th, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure, flat
chased leaders, struggling from 15th
towards rear, mistake 12th, 6th and outpaced when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leader, led 14th, headed 4 out, outpaced after next, stayed on under pressure flat
in touch, headway 5th, led 12th, headed 14th, mistake 4 out, outpaced next, kept on one pace flat
Nonrunner
Giorgio, Interdit and Shannon's Pride are three against the field in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Giorgio. The selection was a good second behind Dead Eyed Dick last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and under conditions that suit and off the same mark here he will be hard to beat. Interdit rates the main danger as he goes well fresh and at the track but he looks on a high enough mark and he is passed over for that reason. Shannon's Pride is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Isellido but he has had breathing problems in the past and at the likely odds he looks worth opposing. Wildfield Rufo was a fair second behind Sir Frosty last time and is another with place claims but he may just need the run after a 127 day absence. Pessimistic Dick has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Giorgio who looks sure to have the race run to suit.
Croc An Oir (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Drumbeater (10-4) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Aug, 6 ran.
Interdit (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, tracked leaders halfway, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Its Only Polite (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
Wildfield Rufo (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, went 2nd last, stayed on under pressure flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Sir Frosty (10-5) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in May.
Pikestaff (USA) 12-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out, 6th of 9, 24l behind Midnight Creek (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Aug.
Primitive Way 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, struggling halfway, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 38l behind Emperor Ross (11-11) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) gf in May.
Pessimistic Dick 16-1 (10-0) Held up, chased leaders halfway, no impression from 4 out, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Possextown (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Sept.
Giorgio (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Dead-Eyed Dick (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Sept.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 3-1co-fav (11-8) In touch, led 10th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Isellido (10-9) at Hexham 3m 1f chs (E) gd in Apr.
Innisfree (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 4th after halfway, 3rd 4 out, lost touch next, moderate 4th and no extra from 2 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind Karlo (11-2) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 frm in Sept.
Starbuck 10-3fav (10-1) Chased leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 41l behind Ultimate Limit (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jun.
