tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed next, led last, all out
mid-division, behind from 10th
tracked leading pair, effort when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed 12th, ridden 4 out, rallied to lead 2 out, faded and headed last
behind from 9th
always in rear, pulled up before 11th
always behind
tracked leading trio, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear when fell 8th
always in rear, lost touch 10th, jumped very slowly 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Berengario, Lord Ryeford and Contact Dancer look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the vote is given to Berengario. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Gan Eagla last time out. He is well clear on official BHB figures and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Lord Reyford rates the main danger as he has improved out of all recognition since being switched to fences. He won well last time when beating Slaney Eagle. However this is his toughest assignment to date and on official figures he has plenty to find with the selection and is taken on with this in mind. Contract Dancer would be a danger to all if putting in a fluent round of fencing but that is a big if and at likely odds he is taken on. Gan Eagla is four pound better off for a five length beating so he still has a little to find. Of the remainder Blaze Ahead's best form is over a longer trip and for the winner we return to Berengario who gets the confident vote.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Led, headed 2nd, led again 10th, mistakes 11th and 12th, challenged 2 out, left clear last, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul beating Slaney Eagle (10-11) by 21l, 11 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 12th, ridden and headed 4 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 21l behind Millards Lad (10-8) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 43l behind Itsmyboy (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Gan Eagla (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Berengario (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Missy Moscow (IRE) 5-2fav (9-13) Led 2nd, headed 7th, weakened 14th pulled up at the last in race won by Metal Detector (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Bydemill Boy 14-1 (12-0) Fell 3rd in race won by Harum Scarum (11-7) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in May, 11 ran.
Outside Investor (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden after 10th, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 11, 24l behind Berengario (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Jul.
Paris Latino (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 9th, stayed on same pace, 6th of 11, 25l behind Dyneburg (11-8) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Random Precision (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) In touch, led 6th, ridden and headed last, ran on, 2nd of 14, shd behind Brigadier Benson (11-3) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr '05.
River Gypsy 50-1 (10-12) Led until 5th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 44l behind Im Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Berengario (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader from 5th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, hung left approaching last, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Aug beating Gan Eagla (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
