led, edged right 1st, headed briefly approaching 2 out, soon led again, went clear before last, ran on well, comfortably
chased leader, hit 1st, not fluent 6th, slow next, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon headed, ridden before last where not fluent, kept on flat, no match for winner
reluctant to line up, midfield, ridden approaching 2 out, plugged on one pace
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden approaching last, no extra flat
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, mistake 1st, hit 5th and 6th, in touch when blundered 3 out, soon lost place, made no impression from next
MORTLACH landed the odds in a maiden hurdle at Warwick in April and has won four times over fences. His penalty is negated by a talented claimer and he is difficult to oppose. Last month’s Worcester winner Dame De Fortune is the obvious danger, though Longstone Cowboy was keeping on when second to the odds-on Victorias Peak at Hexham and was well clear of the remainder.
Mortlach 1-2fav (12-0) Jumped right, made all, awkward 1st, ridden after 3 out, joined after 2 out, found extra to pull away flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Aug beating Restandbethankful (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Dame De Fortune (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 3rd, headed next, led and mistake last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Cluain Aodha (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Keep Coming (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along after 4 out and struggling, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind The Friday Man (11-7) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Sep.
Longstone Cowboy (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 7th, chased winner 2 out, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Victorias Peak (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Magic Mike (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improve to dispute 5f out, led under 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 24l behind Follow The Brave (12-0) at Ballinrobe 1m 7f gd in Jul.
Ivynator (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Towards rear, not fluent on occasions, pushed along after 3 out, always behind, 5th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Cirque Royal (11-7) at Kelso 2m (3) gd in May.
