prominent, led approaching 3rd, headed next, lost place 5 out
led until approaching 3rd, led again 10th, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied after last, just held
held up in touch, weakened before 12th
held up in rear, headway 12th, soon weakened
in touch, led 4th, headed 10th, blundered next, soon weakened, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, mistake 12th, headway approaching 9th, soon tracking leaders, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, headway 10th, mistake 12th, chased leader 3 out, not fluent and led 2nd last, blundered last, hard ridden, all out
held up in rear, headway 12th, soon under pressure and beaten, weakened and pulled up soon after
mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, weakened 14th
mid-division, pushed along 9th, weakened after next, pulled up soon after
held up mid-division, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, blundered 14th, headway 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
Nonrunner
With the ground against Oedipe and Possol out, this may become a shootout between Miss Mitch, Nacarat and MADISON DU BERLAIS, with David Pipe's runner getting the vote. The application of the blinkers is a fascinating accoutrement here, as Madison has looked a little lacklustre of late. Mind you he has been running against Kauto Star and friends recently so this rates as a drop in grade. This is the first handicap that he has contested since winning the Hennessey in 2008 and able to race off a mark of 162 he looks sure to put up a bold display. Defending champion Nacarat was a gallant (albeit distant) fourth in the King George when last seen and he is an obvious contender with AP McCoy back on board. He was able to dictate from the front last year but he may be more vulnerable today on softer ground and off an 11lb higher mark. Ollie Magern's best form comes on good ground in the autumn, Atouchbetweenacara looks the pick of the Venetia Williams duo now back at the yard, whilst Piraya won well at Warwick earlier in the month but this is his toughest task to date and he'll probably come up short. Oedipe is more interesting given his excellent course record and he shaped very nicely at Sandown at the start of the month. His best form however has come on good ground and the weather has conspired against him this week. Ten stone dead is a bit of a squeeze for top jockey Ruby Walsh but Fistral Beach looks fairly treated and whilst his attitude has been called into question, perhaps for good reason, he is not one to ignore. Hopefully more positive tactics will be applied on Razor Royale and proven on soft ground he is a solid each-way shout. On a form line through The Sawyer he has the beating of both Miss Mitch and Kilcrea Castle, both of whom have attracted very solid market support during the week. Kilcrea Castle should have more to come as his third to The Sawyer was his first start since joining Emma Lavelle from Ireland. Jack Doyle is the family connection and he knows the horse well. Miss Mitch is still open to more improvement and the Alner's mare was one place ahead of Kilcrea Castle at Ascot and she looks sure to appreciate the longer trip today although a mark of 145 looks high enough. Not an easy puzzle to solve then but Madison Du Berlais is the class-act and this looks a good chance to get his career back on track, perhaps before a crack at the Grand National.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 9th to 14th, stayed front rank until ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 21l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Nacarat (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Led, driven and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 13, 42l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Ollie Magern 33-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped slowly 10th, in last place next, struggling 13th, 4th of 6, 28l behind Tricky Trickster (11-3) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Something Wells (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 33l behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, challenged from 4 out until weakened quickly after next, 11th of 17, 43l behind Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Kilcrea Castle (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway to track winner 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Razor Royale (IRE) 9-2fav (10-11) Behind, headway to chase leaders 12th, not much room and pecked badly 18th, driven approaching 3 out, no extra flat, 7th of 13, 18l behind Monkerhostin (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs.
Bible Lord (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, in touch 7th, ridden, outpaced approaching 4 out, no impression from next, 8th of 10, 19l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft.
Piraya (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs beating Buck The Legend (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Oedipe (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Raced wide in mid-division, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 4th last, 4th of 13, 7l behind Monkerhostin (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs.
Private Be 5-1 (10-9) In touch, blundered 8th, went 3rd 10th, mistake 12th, chased winner 2 out, every chance last and after last until no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind The Sawyer (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Le Burf (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Not fluent, tracked leader, mistake 2nd, led narrowly 9th until next, stayed pressing leaders, led briefly 4 out, challenged 3 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, kept on gamely, always just held flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Fistral Beach (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Raced wide, always prominent, chased leader before 2 out, challenged last, driven ahead final 100 yds, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Heathcote (10-13) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) In touch, lost place 11th, ridden and headway under pressure 3 out, stayed on strongly to chase winner flat, just failed, 2nd of 13, nk behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
