chased leaders, led 3 out, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 9th, chased winner 2 out, kept on
with leaders, led and hit 9th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, chased leaders 7th, ridden and weakened after 8th, tailed off from 4 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders 7th, ridden next, outpaced 9th
with leaders and keen, weakened 8th, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, jumped slow 1st, headway 9th, weakened next
held up, struggling from 9th
led to 9th, quickly weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
Dreamaker can prevail at the expense of Reasonably Sure, Spider Boy and Michaels Joy. Dreamaker had a bit of a reputation between-the-flags in Ireland, having been sent off as favourite on three occasions. Unfortunately he proved expensive to follow, and in truth since racing under rules, has failed to show anything of note. However, it may just be that he is taking time to come to hand, and there was encouragement to be gleaned from his recent second over fences at Uttoxeter. A half-brother to the high-class Native Upmanship, he has the right man on board today, and if his jumping gets a bit slicker, he should pay to follow over fences. Reasonably Sure is far more experienced over the bigger obstacles, but is becoming hard to place despite slipping down the weights, while Spider Boy is another long-standing maiden. He has performed as well as he can since being fitted with blinkers though, and should not mind the ground, so has place claims at least. Michaels Joy is lightly-raced and getting the hang of things so has to be given a mention as well, but we are happy to side with Dreamaker.
Love That Benny (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Commercial Express (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Dreamaker (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, tracked 9th, headway after 12th, hit 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Killard Point (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Michaels Joy (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced after 4 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Killard Point (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Held up, headway 6th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Killard Point (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Vital Spark 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 13th, chased leaders 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 14, 12l behind Westfield Dancer (12-3) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Joke Club 20-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, in touch when blundered 2 out, beaten after, 5th of 7, 9l behind Killard Point (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Spider Boy 17-2 (10-0) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 4 out, closing in on winner when blundered 3 out, held from next, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Bollitree Bob (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Newbay Lady 9-1 (10-0) With leader, led 4th to 6th, led 7th to 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 12, 25l behind Willandrich (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.