led until approaching 6th, last next, pulled up before 9th
held up behind leaders, mistake 4th, went 3rd 4 out, challenged going well next, led approaching last, very easily
held up behind leaders, pecked 1st, jumped left next, headway to go 2nd 6th, challenged 4 out, not fluent 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, one pace
tracked leaders, dropped to last when not fluent 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
Wessex King appeared to lose his way after landing a novices' event at Towcester last year but bounced back at Stratford on his reappearance. He's 4lb higher but loves fast ground and should go well. Irish raider Blindspin hasn't shown much so far but is well-regarded and there could be more to come if his jumping holds up but Wester Ross is very one-paced and will need to step up on what he's shown so far over fences. After victories over timber and fences early last month, Captain Dash jumped poorly from his new mark at Kempton and looks a few pounds high as does the once promising Medicinal, who was beaten in a seller over hurdles in August. PIN D'ESTRUVAL gained his first success in 20 starts at Newton Abbot in September and though beaten from 6lb higher subsequently this shouldn't take much winning and he can double his tally.
Wessex King (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 2nd, clear 4th until 3 out, drew clear again from last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Oct beating Farleigh House (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Blindspin 33-1 (9-12) Prominent in chasing group, slighly slow jump 6 out, 3rd approaching 4 out, closed into straight, still in touch when fell 3 out, in a race won by King High (9-11) at Cork 2m hcp chs in Oct, 9 ran.
Wester Ross (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 10th, headed next, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 18l behind Wyck Hill (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Captain Dash (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up last, not fluent 7th, headway on outside 13th, weakened to last place when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Handtheprizeover (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
Medicinal (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, well held after 3 out, 5th of 9, 25l behind Denton Ryal (10-11) at Southwell 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Pin D'Estruval (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Pressed leader, led 4th, driven and headed narrowly when left in lead again 2 out, soon ridden and headed, 3rd and no impression when hampered by loose horse last, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Restezen D'armor (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
