chased leaders, hit 8th, driven from 10th, no chance from 3 out, left moderate 2nd at the last briefly
chased leaders until weakened 10th, tailed off
towards rear, lost touch 10th, tailed off
tracked winner, led 3 out, ridden and 3 lengths clear when fell last
jumped right throughout, behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled up after 11th
behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
tracking leaders when blundered and unseated rider 5th
led, hit 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, 3 lengths 2nd when mistake and left clear last
behind from 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 11th
mid-division, headway 10th, soon ridden, no chance from 4 out, left moderate 3rd last, went 2nd run-in
mistake 6th, soon lost touch, pulled up after 9th
always behind, tailed off when left 4th last
This handicap can go the way of the top weight Magot de Grugy with both Flinders Bay and Mister Tibus worth noting. The selection was an eye catching second to Sunley Shines in novice company at Chepstow last time out and could be running off a handy mark here. He jumps well in the main and with conditions to suit he has to take the beating. Flinders Bay managed to win a bumper three years ago but has since then been largely disappointing in the main. He has been well beaten in more competitive races than this and connections feel that there is a race in him somewhere but he have to wait for another day as far as we are concerned. Mister Tibus ran with promise at Taunton last time out when second to Craven to suggest that a win in his company is not out of the equation. That was his first real sign of ability so he does have to prove himself off the back of that decent run. So for the winner we return to Magot ge Grugy.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 8th, tracked winner, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Sunley Shines (10-2) at Chepstow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Amid The Chaos (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 5th of 8, 36l behind Lutea (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Saafend Rocket (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Prominent, pushed along approaching 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Incas (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Mister Tibus (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Led, mistake 8th, quickened on bit after 4 out, hit 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied flat, hampered and carried left, not recover, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Craven (11-4) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Flinders Bay (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until 4th, close up, ridden after 9th, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 30l behind Rowdy Yeats (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Radbrook Hall 11-2 (11-2) Jumped right, chased leaders, ridden and edged left after 4 out, jumped slowly 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 8l behind Here Comes Harry (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Artic Reason (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led to 2 out, 3rd but held when not clear run flat, one pace after, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Arctic Spirit (10-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Quizzling (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division, lost place after 9th, no danger after, 7th of 16, 16l behind He's The Biz (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.