led to after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, headway to lead briefly after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
mid-division when pulled up, dismounted after 5th
held up, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, 5th approaching last, rallied to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, reminders 7th, soon lost place, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, rallied approaching last, no impression
always behind
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on
mid-division, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up on outside, steady headway 7th, led after 3 out, soon clear, eased near finish, comfortably
Clueless is taken to defy topweight at the expense of Morning Roses, Native American and Legs Diamond. A dual winner on the Flat for William Haggas, Clueless has yet to score over timber, but has produced his best two pieces of form on fast ground. Taken off his feet back on the level at Newmarket last month, this will be much more his cup of tea, and with Tony Dobbin to guide him round, an overdue first success over hurdles beckons. Morning Roses showed great determination to make most and hold on from Legs Diamond at Uttoxeter in July, but the going was a lot more testing, and he is not certain to maintain the form over that rival on today's terms. Native American got back up to score narrowly at Newton Abbot last time, and if those exertions have not taken their toll, he can also figure in the finish, but Clueless gets our vote.
Brousse En Feux (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened next, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Ouh Jay (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jul.
Boxclever 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway halfway to chase leaders, effort after 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Sadler's Cove (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jun.
Gollinger 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Be Quiet (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm, 12 ran.
Gus 9-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 8, 36l behind Princess of Spurs (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul.
First Slip 7-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 43l behind Ceoperk (10-13) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Cool Alice 28-1 (10-5) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 14l behind Sabre Hongrois (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Heros Collonges (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, behind next, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Farington Lodge (9-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jul.
Morning Roses 8-1 (10-13) Made virtually all, ridden approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jul beating Legs Diamond (11-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Native American 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden to lead bend approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, jumped left and headed last, rallied to lead post, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul beating Glengarra (11-2) by a nk, 10 ran.
Legs Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, headway on outside approaching 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression and hung left flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Morning Roses (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jul.
Pharaoh Prince 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division, struggling after 6th, 6th of 12, 43l behind Danehill Willy (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Brinkmanship (USA) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and effort 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Forest Silver (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Clueless 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Alfonso (10-11) at Kelso 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
This Way That Way 3-1jt-fav (11-5) Soon towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 11, 15l behind City Affair (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Fisby 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway and in touch 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and eased approaching last, 8th of 13, 41l behind Willandrich (10-5) at Southwell 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Phoenix Eye 11-1 (10-6) Behind, ridden 3 out to chase leaders, held in 7th when ran out in race won by Guerilla (10-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf, 12 ran.
