tended to jump left, led until approaching 2 out, chased winner, driven and one pace before last
chased leader until 3rd, chased leading pair, 2nd again before 5th until jumped slowly next, chased leading pair until 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leading trio, 3rd 4 out, 2nd travelling well before next and soon challenging, led approaching 2 out, came readily clear before last, kept up to work run-in
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd until approaching 5th, 2nd again next until approaching 3 out, chased leading pair, rallied on inside 2 out, every chance when blundered stumbled badly and nearly unseated rider 2 out, not recover
always last, pushed along and struggling after 9th, no chance after
VALSEUR DU GRANVAL (NAP) still had every chance when trying to take the last by the roots at Southwell in June. He has generously been eased 3lb since and can return to winning ways. After Hours has won between the flags so should make a chaser but he might just need this. Trojan Star is proving very hard to win with while Prince Khurram probably needs to drop a few pounds. Jarlath has been beaten twice off this mark since winning at Worcester in August.
Prince Khurram 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Mixboy (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m (4) gd in Sep.
After Hours (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 37 1/2l behind Gala Ball (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, jumped right into rival 1st, not fluent 4th, headway after 8th, switched right 4 out, led 3 out, hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed before bad mistake last, not recover, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Strongly Suggested (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Jarlath 9-2 (11-1) Tracked winner throughout, not fluent last, kept on and well held, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Wells De Lune (11-8) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Trojan Star (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led, ran out 4th, at Hereford 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
