prominent until went lame and pulled up before 7th, dismounted
never going well and always last, lost touch with leaders after 15th, tailed off
held up behind leaders, ridden after 15th, weakened 4 out
made all, ridden when mistake 3 out, well in command when hit last, stayed on well
with winner, ridden approaching 3 out, upsides when blundered 2 out, no danger after
Nonrunner
Recent course and distance winner Shardam has to be respected but faces no easy task off a 6lb higher mark today and preference is for Matt The Thrasher, who gets the vote ahead of Manly Money. The last mentioned was in the process of running a decent race until being brought down at Wincanton last time and has to be respected but it remains to be seen whether that will have left its mark on the eight-year-old and he may be best watched. Dolmur has failed to complete in his last two starts, while Radcliffe gave little cause for optimism on his recent reappearance. Hi Fi was well held on his return at Haydock and preference is for Matt The Thrasher, who has won his last two starts, latterly over a shorter trip, and he should appreciate the return to this distance.
Shardam (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Led after 2nd, ridden 4 out, kept on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Sungates (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dolmur (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, badly hampered and lost place 9th, behind after, tailed off when jumped very slowly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Led to 5th, with leader, led approaching 8th, in command after, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Original Fly (11-4) by 8l, 4 ran.
Radcliffe (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Led, headed 3rd, led 7th, headed 10th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Hawk's Landing (11-4) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Hi Fi 25-1 (11-4) Pushed along mid-division, reminders after 2nd, behind from next, 12th of 13, well behind Sunisa (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Manly Money 20-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, mistake 3rd, shaken up 13th, challenging and every chance when brought down 3 out in race won by Petitjean (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 6 ran.