led, headed when pecked 3 out, kept on until ridden and one pace flat
never going well in rear, reminders from 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 11th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up, steady headway 4 out, challenged going well last, soon led and carried head high, pushed out near finish
tracked leader, effort 3 out, outpaced when not fluent next, beaten when switched left last
held up, headway 4 out, led next, ridden last, soon headed, kept on flat, held near finish
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, challenged next, kept on and every chance, no extra flat
DIVEX can bounce back to form tonight with Luccombe Bay and Ballyvaden likely to pose most problems. Micky Hammond's charge has been a little disappointing during the summer but he had plenty of time off to recover and having had a pipeopener, the step up in trip should suit. Luccombe Bay is a previous course winner. There is a suspicion her better form may obtain with ground softer than what we will experience tonight. Copper Bay was last seen out in point-to-points and is now back under rules having dotted up unchallenged. Ballyvadden has no issues in relation to the going whilst ex-Sir Mark Prescott inmate, Tempsford, would have made far more appeal were Tony McCoy booked. Chorizo might just be in the grip of the handicapper. Plenty of plausible winners and we recommend Divex.
Ballyvaden (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) In touch, led after 3 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr beating Gallik Dawn (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Luccombe Bay 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, kept on well to lead run-in, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov stks (4) gd in Apr beating Wind Instrument (11-5) by 3l, 6 ran.
Copper Bay (IRE) 1-4 (12-5) (tt) led to 6; lft solo 8, won at Heslaker 3m ptp gd in May, 2 ran.
Tempsford (USA) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, chased winner when not fluent 4 out, no impression approaching last, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Alfie's Sun (10-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Chorizo (IRE) 9-2fav (10-6) Held up mid-division, mistakes 11th and 4 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 7th of 12, 23l behind De Soto (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Divex (IRE) 18-1 (10-1) Held up, chased leaders on outer 4 out, kept on to chase winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Chorizo (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jul.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 18l behind Dune Raider (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.