held up in touch, challenged 3 out, led last kept on well
in rear, mistake 3 out, in 4th and held when fell last
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 8th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, headed last, lost 2nd place towards finish
led to 2nd, led again 8th, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
SIMPLY NED is much the best of these and can carry top weight to victory. He finished a creditable second in a Grade 1 novices' chase at Aintree in March. Jet Master returns to action off an 8lb higher mark having ended last season with a double over these fences while Toledo Gold carries a penalty for his victory at Hexham during the week. The latter is upped in class today along with Perth runner-up Scotch Warrior.
Simply Ned (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway when hit 8th, hard ridden to chase winner last, stayed on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Balder Succes (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Jet Master (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up off the pace in rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), switched outside and effort approaching bypassed 2 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, held on under pressure near finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Un Guet Apens (11-3) by nk, 7 ran.
Kumbeshwar 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 8th, no extra before 2 out, weakened, 5th of 10, 33l behind Buywise (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along next, ridden after 4th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Sergeant Thunder (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Scotch Warrior 5-1 (11-2) Chased winner who went clear from 2nd, jumped slowly 3rd, 4 lengths down last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Creevytennant (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Sep.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out and lost 2nd place, one pace, 3rd of 4, 10l behind Claragh Native (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.