tracked leaders, tracked winner when landed awkwardly 9th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, chased winner 10th, ridden and hit 3 out, plugged on
close up in rear, went 3rd 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
disputed lead until led 8th, clear 2 out, eased run in
with winner until mistake 8th, lost place next, pulled up before 4 out
Raktiman's well beaten fourth over these fences is the only chasing form on offer. Father Edward scored over timber at Worcester in July but the testing going is a worry for him and NO NO MAC (NAP) is preferred. He has won twice over hurdles here and could go close on his chasing bow with Richard Johnson taking over the reins. A dual hurdles winner, Kingswell Theatre is related to a winner over fences and makes more appeal than Big Jim as both return to action.
No No Mac (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Chased winner, pushed along and chance before 2 out, ridden before the last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Dawn Commander (11-12) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Father Edward (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 22 3/4l behind Tangolan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug.
Raktiman (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up behind, struggling 4 out, soon lost touch, left remote 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 36 3/4l behind Fox Norton (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (3) gd in Oct.
Kingswell Theatre 5-2fav (11-12) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, no chance with easy winner before last, 2nd of 8, 33l behind Onenightinvienna (10-12) at Hexham 3m (4) gs in Mar.
Big Jim 2-1fav (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 1st or 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Mar.
