held up in touch, progress to chase leaders 3 out, weakened before next
disputed lead until led approaching 2 out, drew clear last, easily
in touch, outpaced after 3 out, kept on into 4th approaching last, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway after 3 out, close 3rd when broke down and quickly pulled up before 2 out
disputed lead until chased winner before 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, outpaced after 3 out, rallied next, stayed on into 3rd, never a threat
NonRunner
Of the three David Pipe runners, Timeforben makes more appeal than fellow course and distance winner Picture Painter, who is still 7lb out of the handicap, and disappointing chaser El Terremoto but was only third behind Sizing Granite over a shorter trip here nine days ago. Theatrebar doesn’t know how to run a bad race but the 11-year-old has never won above Class 3 level. Scoop The Pot races of a lower mark than over fences so is worth considering but THE SWEENEY’s form took a sharp upward turn at Market Rasen in the summer and his style of racing suggests he’ll handle this big step up in trip.
Theatrebar 7-1 (11-12) Held up in 4th, closed on outside form 9th, close 2nd 2 out, soon led, clear when guessed at last, stayed on, won at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Jacks Last Hope (11-4) by 14l, 5 ran.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 9-4 (11-3) Made all, over 1 length up last, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Majestic Touch (10-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Scoop The Pot (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, mistake 11th, not fluent next, headway 4 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Hepijeu (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
The Sweeney (IRE) 13-8fav (11-11) Chased leader, led before 2 out, driven and headed flat, stayed on, led again post, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jul beating Mister Universum (11-7) by shd, 7 ran.
Timeforben (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up in last, closed from 3 out, 3rd 2 out, no impression, well held last, 3rd of 5, 9 3/4l behind Sizing Granite (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Laugharne 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leader until 5th, not fluent and lost place 10th, behind when mistake 14th, pulled up before 2 out, at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Picture Painter (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led going well last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Alanjou (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
El Terremoto (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 11th, well beaten 2 out, last of 12, dist behind Topofthecotswolds (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
