mid-division, some progress under pressure until 4th and approaching 15th, weakened well before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
never travelling towards rear, losing touch when mistake 11th, pulled up before 13th
led, narrowly headed 11th, ridden after 15th, weakened 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 15th
prominent, led 11th, ridden after 15th, no extra when headed final 100 yards
chased leaders until lost place approaching 14th, never on terms after
held up, steady progress from 10th, ridden to chase leader approaching 3 out, challenge last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, ridden out
in touch, effort 14th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders until 10th, soon well behind, pulled up before 13th
Wee Anthony unseated his inexperienced rider when making a return to chasing at Towcester on Sunday but has the assistance of Tony McCoy today and looks worth another chance to take advantage of a lenient mark over the larger obstacles getting the vote ahead of Ranelagh Gray and Stormy Skye. The last mentioned has failed to complete in his last two starts but Gary Moore's gelding has been given a break since then and has to be respected on his reappearance on a course where his handler has a good record. Happy Shopper would have claims on the form shown when winning over course and distance in February but David Pipe's gelding has disappointed since then so may be best watched, while Smeathe's Ridge gave little sign for encouragement on his return and is hard to recommend. The Venetia Williams-trained Ranelagh Gray is entitled to come on for his reappearance run, especially with the yard in such good form right now but Wee Anthony is so well treated on hurdles form that he has to be the choice.
Parish Oak 25-1 (11-11) Held up, ridden 9th, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 20l behind Calcot Flyer (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Chopneyev (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 12th, no danger after, 3rd of 9, well behind Pass Me By (11-2) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Apr.
Happy Shopper (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden along 13th, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 15l behind Sissinghurst Storm (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Beauchamp Prince (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, jumped left 10th, weakened after 14th, 4th of 11, 25l behind Mr Dow Jones (10-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Ranelagh Gray (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, lost place from 8th, 5th of 7, 38l behind Arumun (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Stormy Skye (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, lost place 10th, soon behind and pulled up 5 out in race won by Kausse de Thaix (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May, 8 ran.
Wee Anthony (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) In rear, headway 4th, mid-division when unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Apple Joe (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Smeathe's Ridge 11-1 (10-5) Led to 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 10, 24l behind Supreme Tadgh (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Oct.
Pardini (USA) 18-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, weakened 14th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Up The Pub (11-2) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Oct, 17 ran.
