disputed lead, hit 3rd, led next, driven 3 out, joined next, ridden and headed before last, no impression in clear 2nd flat
tracked leaders, disputed 2nd and still every chance when fell 4 out
disputed lead to 4th, tracked leaders, lost place 6th, struggling next, no chance with leaders from 4 out, went left last
tracked leaders, left 3rd 4 out, driven and one pace when jumped left from 2 out, no chance with front pair
held up behind in touch, headway when when hampered and left 4th 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 5th, soon behind and pushed along, mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd at 5th, effort 3 out, upsides next, ridden to lead before last, drew clear flat
Dont Take Me Alive has been knocking on the door and was beaten less than two lengths at Chepstow last time. He must go close to a first victory over fences but we're prepared to take him on with GHOST OF A SMILE. Ian Williams' charge was just beaten by a useful sort at Market Rasen on his chasing bow in May having won over hurdles at Huntingdon earlier. Benefique Royale may need more time but Morning Reggie could improve for the switch to fences.
Owen Na View (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led until after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 7, 25l behind Laser Blazer (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Morning Reggie 9-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, effort and fell 4 out, in a race won by Run On Sterling (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in May, 10 ran.
Ghost Of A Smile (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Held up, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, closed 6th, not fluent 10th, led before 2 out, hit last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Old Pals Act (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Dont Take Me Alive 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leading pair, 2nd before 5 out, soon challenging, led narrowly 2 out, headed and no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Islandmagee (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Benefique Royale 6-1 (11-11) Held up, took keen hold, not fluent 9th, headway after 5 out, no extra when not fluent 2 out, last of 5, 19l behind According To Sarah (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Sep.
Ladies Dancing 25-1 (11-4) Chased clear leaders, well behind from 8th, 3rd of 4, 39l behind Court Minstrel (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Fond Memory (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Kodicil (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
