in rear, not particulary fluent, effort approaching 4 out, soon weakened
made all, soon clear, reminders after 9th, reduced advantage 4 out, 1 1/2 lengths clear last, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, ridden to close 4 out, 1 1/2 lengths down last, stayed on, no impression towards finish
held up, hit 1st, headway after 8th, went 3rd 4 out, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace last
held up in 4th until pushed along approaching 5th, closed 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up, went 4th approaching 5th, went 3rd after 8th until 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out
chased winner until not fluent 3rd, weakened after 8th
Saddlers Deal's 5lb rise for scoring at Southwell is probably fair and Chris Grant's six-year-old has every chance of following up here. But HEAVENLY CHORUS is sure to strip fitter for her close second over C&D earlier this month and, though 4lb higher, can go one better today. Carrietau is starting to come down the weights but may be better over shorter and the four-year-old Vosges is more interesting as he was in obvious need of the run on his chasing debut at Kelso. The form of that race has worked out well and the gelding has already won twice at the track over hurdles.
High Bird Humphrey 33-1 (11-2) Ridden after 3rd, always towards rear, 12th of 17, 47l behind Edgardo Sol (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Carrietau 25-1 (11-7) Led to 5th, weakened from 8th, 7th of 12, 20l behind Storm Surge (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Vosges (FR) 4-1 (10-9) With leader, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 6, well behind The Panama Kid (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Oct.
Heavenly Chorus 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led soon after 4 out, joined and pressed last, headed soon after, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Fred Bojangals (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Saddlers Deal (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, every chance 3 out, led approaching when left clear at last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Tahiti Pearl (10-11) by 5l, 5 ran.
Cortinas (GER) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Trooper Clarence (10-1) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May, 8 ran.
The Paddy Premium (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Chased leader 2nd until after 4th, went 2nd again and every chance when blundered 5 out, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Fred Bojangals (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
