held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led next, drew clear from last
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 12th, one pace when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
settled into mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
led to 7th, led again after 8th, headed approaching 5 out, weakened approaching next
chased leaders, led 7th, not fluent and headed next, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from next
prominent, unseated rider 5th
held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, chased leaders approaching 11th, one paced from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway to go prominent approaching 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out
with leader, led approaching 5 out, headed 3 out, kept on from next
Not many horses in form here and it may pay to side with recent winner HALL OF FAME ahead of Roznic and Bushido. Keith Reveley's eight-year-old has relatively few miles on the clock and got the better of General Hardi last time at the track despite wandering around a bit up the run-in. He should cope with the step up in trip and despite a 7lb rise in the weights to a mark of 88, he could win again. Top-weight Roznic was well-fancied last month at Huntingdon but he could only fill third spot, and he has stamina to prove so despite a good strike-rate he is passed over. Stonerigg Merc's recent form has been poor but he may have needed those runs after a break so cannot be completely ruled out, along with course winners Almire Du Lia and Stravagain despite poor form on their latest runs. Bushido is well-treated on old form and most of the stable's runners are hitting the frame, however for the winner we will plump for Hall Of Fame.
Roznic (FR) 15-8fav (11-11) Raced keenly, led, hit 2nd, soon headed, led 5th to 7th, not much room after 3 out, blundered 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Colophony (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Bushido (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 27l behind Ngong Hills (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Cavers Glen (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Almire du Lia (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
Stravaigin 15-2 (11-6) Held up, pushed along and weakened approaching 8th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Teenando (9-12) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Oct, 10 ran.
Particle (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression, 4th of 18, 7l behind Hall of Flame (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Hall of Flame (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Held up and keen, headway approaching 6 out, ridden approaching 3 out, hung left and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct beating General Hardi (11-3) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Sands Rising 28-1 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 11th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 18, 20l behind Hall of Flame (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Day du Roy (FR) 25-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden and struggling 7th, 8th of 18, well behind Creinch (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Apr.
Jethro Tull (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, blundered 3 out, soon outpaced, led after last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Smart Man (10-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gd in Oct.
