jumped right, tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 3rd, outpaced by front trio from 8th
with leader, led 2nd, headed when mistake and unseated rider 7th
mid-division, mistake and rider lost iron brielfy 3rd, soon behind, tailed off
in rear, behind when not fluent 4th, never in contention
mid-division, outpaced from 7th, behind 9th
held up, mistake 5th, behind after 7th, tailed off
chasing leaders after 3rd, ridden after 9th, outpaced but front pair from 3 out
led until 2nd, pressed leader, led 7th, headed 4 out, led again before 3 out, just held on
tracked leaders, left 2nd 7th, led 4 out, headed before next, hit 2 out, rallied last, stayed on, just held
Nonrunner
A very competitive handicap for the track and several arrive in excellent form. Spock was fancied for an even better race at Market Rasen last month but fell at halfway and may struggle for pace over this trip. Temple Lord was just touched off at Worcester in June, while Passato and Mister Matt were both easy winners last time and Callisto Moon has been in good form on the Flat. RIO GAEL had Oceana Gold well behind at Aintree in May and had a blow on the level last month. That should have set him up nicely for this and he gets the nod as the novice Sublime Talent faces a stiff task at the weights.
Passato (GER) 9-4fav (11-12) With leader, led narrowly 3rd, made rest, ridden and hard pressed flat, held on near finish, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Jul beating Dean's Grange (10-4) by 1l, 5 ran.
Oceana Gold 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4th, 13th of 16, 44l behind Local Hero (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Jul.
Rio Gael (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Held up in 4th, went 3rd before 6th, went 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well, easily, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs (2) gd in May beating West With The Wind (11-9) by 5l, 6 ran.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Not fluent 1st, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 18l behind Constant Contact (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f Ladies Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Jul.
Spock (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, fell 9th, in a race won by I Have Dreamed (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Sublime Talent (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Chased leader, challenged 2 out, soon edged left, chased winner and hung left flat, ran on, just held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Tiger O'Toole (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) sft in Jun.
Temple Lord (FR) 7-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, driven flat, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Rajnagan (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Mister Matt (IRE) 9-4 (10-10) Jumped left at times, made all, ridden clear from last, ran on, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul beating Trooper Clarence (11-12) by 9l, 5 ran.
Shooters Wood (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, led 3rd, made rest, pressed 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, held on, won at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd in May '10 beating Ryeman (11-7) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Callisto Moon 10-1 (10-8) Ran in snatches, chased leaders in 3rd from 6th, lost place next, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 8, 46l behind Doeslessthanme (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
