chased leaders, hit 9th, outpaced after 12th, rallied 2 out, led soon after last, stayed on
held up, headway 11th, jumped right from 12th, hit 13th, pressing leaders when blundered 3 out and lost position, rallied after 2 out, left in lead and weakened approaching last, mistake, not recover
held up, headway 11th, led 3 out, led until, pulled up approaching last, finished lame
mid-division, driven along from 7th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before next
held up, headway 10th, weakened quickly after 12th, pulled up before 14th
mid-division, driven along from 8th, lost touch quickly after 11th, pulled up before next
prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division until outpaced after 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, left 3rd and every chance last, no extra
held up, some late headway after 2 out, never troubled leaders
prominent until weakened quickly 12th, pulled up before 13th
Uncle Mick can make them all go and gets the vote, but it's a split decision with High Gear and Honneur Fontenail also getting solid mentions. The only course and distance winner in the line-up, Uncle Mick comes here in fairly good heart and a mark of 100 seems fairly fair. With Jonjo O'Neill's horses showing signs of good health, High Gear - who has been often placed despite failing to win in Ireland - warrants consideration, while Sparkling Spring continues to defy his years and is competitively weighted on his best hurdling form. Robber is not far above a winning mark, although he has been a little disappointing on occasion, while Honneur Fontenail looks a stayer and, despite having been raised for his Worcester win, can go well at this longer trip. Connemara Mist is just held on that form. Of the others, River Quoile could prove best as his stamina is not in doubt but, for the selection, the tentative vote goes to Uncle Mick.
Uncle Mick (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) In touch, ridden 15th, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 10, 24l behind Rolfes Delight (10-5) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jul.
High Gear (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, jumped slowly 6th and 7th, close 3rd when badly hampered and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Super Road Train (11-3) at Stratford 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jul, 5 ran.
Sparkling Spring (IRE) 2-1fav (10-5) In touch, mistake 10th, chased leader 12th, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept beating Gatorade (10-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Robber (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden 14th, outpaced from 4 out, no danger after, 4th of 13, 17l behind Carnacrack (10-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jul.
Yassar (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Tracked leader to 6th, jumped slowly 7th, weakening when mistake 10th, jumped very slowly 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Charlies Future (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Mar, 5 ran.
Honneur Fontenail (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Held up, reminders after 4th and 5th, headway 9th, outpaced after 13th, rallied approaching 4 out, led after 3 out, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Jul beating Oh So Brave (11-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
River Quoile 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, headed flat, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Lahinch Lad (10-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Jul.
Take The Oath (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, chased winner last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bell Rock (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
