held up in 5th, outpaced and dropped to rear before 8th, headway next, chased leading pair 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, 5 lengths to find jumping last, driven and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
bumped 2nd, chased leaders, led 6th until 4 out, led again 3 out, about 5 lengths ahead when went left last, weakened and headed final 100 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led 4 out, headed when mistake 3 out, chased leader until after 2 out, weakened before last, lost modest 3rd flat
took keen hold, headway to join leader 3rd until mistake 5th, weaakened before 8th, soon tailed off
jumped right, led not fluent 4th, headed 6th, went badly right next, weakened next, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in 6th, headway 7th, pushed along to chase leading pair next until 3 out, went modest 3rd again flat
Nautical Approach looks really well treated under a penalty after a facile success last time but he's not guaranteed to handle these conditions and a few signs point to SUMDANCER. The gelding got the better of Nautical Approach when the pair last met and the weights suggest that could be repeated especially taking account into the fact the pick has won on similar ground. Jeczmien has a handful of hurdles starts to build on and looks the type to do better in handicap chases while Near The Water and Devils River both have claims off their current ratings if they can improve slightly. Sumdancer though looks to be a good value shout here.
Near The Water (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Raced on inside, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went poor 5th 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 10, 25l behind Amuse Me (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Nautical Approach (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader until 5th, close up, led 2 out, ridden and soon clear, eased near finish, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Great Ocean Road (10-12) by 9l, 5 ran.
Sumdancer (NZ) 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, led 9th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 9, 12l behind Mister Stickler (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Jeczmien (POL) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on between last 2, when modest 3rd soon after last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Rampant Ronnie (10-10) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in May '09.
Devils River (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Chased leader, led 4th, headed and reminders before 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when went right last 2, 5th of 8, 40l behind That's The Deal (10-10) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Maximix 10-1 (11-11) Raced in rear, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, last of 6, 46l behind Glengarra (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
