always behind
chased leading pair, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
made all, jumped left 8th and 9th, clear when jumped left last, pushed out easily
in touch, lost place 2nd, rallied 4 out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
always behind
behind, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased winner, ridden and outpaced 3 out, lost 2nd flat, soon weakened
mistakes, always behind
chased leaders, struggled 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Za Beau is interesting if sorting out his jumping, however a safer bet may RED MAN RAY who will appreciate this better ground and first-time cheek-pieces. The selection was disappointing last time, as he weakened away into a heavily beaten sixth. He has different ground today and he should be capable of much better as Tom George sends his horse up a long way from Gloucestershire. There are several interesting chasing debutants, most notable Description and Duke Of Malfi. The former was thought good enough to contest a Grade Two Novice' hurdle last season and looks the type to make up into a fair chaser. Duke Of Malfi returns to the track after some time off and the market may help guide to his chance on his chasing debut. Za Beau departed at the first last time but had previously been holding his form well and a repeat of his Carlisle effort when winning in July would see him go very close. At a price Toulouse Express may bounce back from a poor run, however for the winner we will return to Red Man Ray as the nomination.
Description (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 5th of 8, 21l behind Tartan Snow (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in May.
Za Beau (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Mistake and unseated rider in race won by Alto Stratus (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Aug, 8 ran.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led to 1st, left in lead 2nd, headed next, not fluent 6th and reminders, upsides when mistake 8th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Golden Feather (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Sept.
Duke of Malfi 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, hampered 4th, no danger after, 12th of 14, 48l behind Pay On (10-3) at Kelso 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Arctic Cove 20-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Kirby's Vic (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Ho Pang Yau 22-1 (9-7) Mid-division, effort 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 14l behind Baguenaud (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Sept.
Athollbrose (USA) 66-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 5th of 9, 33l behind Notre Cyborg (11-3) at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sept.
Art Investor 66-1 (10-12) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 42l behind Regent's Secret (11-5) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
More Shennanigans 150-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Diablo (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by I'm Your Man (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
