held up towards rear, ridden to go 3rd approaching 3 out, kept on no impression from next
chased leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed next, led again last, headed post
winner, tracked leader, led 4 out soon ridden, headed next, led 2 out, headed last, all out for lead post
jumped right throughout, led, headed after 7th quickly weakened approaching 8th, pulled up before 9th
always behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, led after 7th, blundered and headed 4 out, weakened
Nonrunner
Touch Closer and Fool On The Hill look closely matched and our selection is the former. Touch Closer certainly made hard work of his chasing debut but the important thing was that he cleared the fences and won. He does not have Tony McCoy aboard today but he does possess a touch of class having finished fourth over hurdles in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival. The ground may well have played its part with regard to Fool On The Hill's failure at Newton Abbot. Fast ground could make the concession of penalties somewhat easier although we will take him on. Tonic Du Charmil was desperately disappointing behind Mr Flint. He is prone to mistakes and can ill afford to make them at this level. Tickton Flyer had decent bumper form on fast ground here so is watched in the market. Seaniethesmuggler has won here before but has failed to take easier opportunities than this in the past. The remainder appear hard to fancy. Touch Closer is nominated as our selection tonight.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-3) Held up, left 2nd, hampered 9th, lost place next, ridden 14th, left 2nd and 4 lengths down when mistake 2 out, eased when beaten flat, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Super Road Train (11-3) at Stratford 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jul.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 11-8 (11-4) Chased winner, took closer order after 5th, mistakes 6th and 8th, soon weakened, 2nd of 4, 26l behind Mister Flint (11-4) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (D) gs.
Touch Closer 6-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 5th, ridden 4 out, soon led, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf in Jul beating The Glen (10-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Mr Mighty (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Jumped right, led and soon well clear, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, left 2nd last, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Sweet Diversion (11-13) at Stratford 3m nov chs (D) gf in Jul.
Tickton Flyer 12-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 3 out, chasing leaders in 5th when hampered 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 11, 14l behind Major Euro (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (D) gd in Apr.
Worlaby Dale 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, one pace and no impression when badly hampered 2 out, 4th of 13, 23l behind Dancing Rock (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Mar.
Fool On The Hill 15-8 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened flat, last of 3, 10l behind Fontanesi (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (D) gs in Jul.
