chased leaders, led after 4th, headed next, led 10th, blundered and headed 3 out, one pace after
held up, blundered 2nd, lost place 9th
in rear, blundered 11th, soon struggling
held up in rear, headway 9th, led and jumped right 3 out, clear when jumped right next and last driven out
mid-division, prominent 8th, in 4th when blundered 2 out, weakened when blundered last
chased leaders until lost place 8th
held up, outpaced 8th
led until headed after 4th, hit 7th, ridden and outpaced 10th, kept on from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden in every chance approaching 3 out, kept on from next
chased leaders, led 5th, headed 10th, soon weakened
chased leader until lost place 5th, in rear when pulled up after 7th
Swallow Magic is the selection over Raise A McGregor, with Toad Hall,and Bell Rock likely to make their presence felt. Swallow Magic improved race-by-race to come good over fences at Sedgefield three weeks ago, ridden with restraint by Keith Mercer. That was quite a competitive affair, and with Tom Dreaper now taking seven-pounds off his back, Ferdy Murphy's charge can follow up. Raise a McGregor has been pretty consistent lately and although a beaten favourite at Bangor, he galloped along for most of the way and it might not be too long before he gains his first victory in two years. Toad Hall had been hunter-chasing and did well to score from three-pound out of the handicap at Hexham last time. He is another to consider for place purposes at least along with the lightly-raced Bell Rock who was pulled up at Southwell as though something was amiss. It would be no surprise to se him bounce back, but Swallow Magic has plenty of scope and is the pick.
Bell Rock 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Held up mid-division and jumped right throughout, weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by High Peak (10-6) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf, 15 ran.
Swallow Magic (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Held up and behind, headway 2 out, led last, ridden and quickened clear flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf beating York Rite (10-8) by 4l, 8 ran.
Toad Hall 66-1 (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in to lead near finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Jun beating Spectrum Star (9-11) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Raise A McGregor 4-1fav (10-5) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Miss Muscat (10-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Saragann (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 48l behind Harry Potter (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gf.
Rattina (GER) 20-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, well behind Lucky Do (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (F) gs.
Taksina 16-1 (9-11) Prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 13, 25l behind Alcatras (9-13) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf in Jun.
Noble Colours 5-1 (9-7) In touch, mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 33l behind Barton Baron (10-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Oct.
