mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, hampered 6th, weakened after 8th
chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, blundered 7th, some headway 9th, no further impression from 4 out
in touch until not fluent and unseated rider 2nd
always behind, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before 9th
in touch, smooth headway 8th, went 2nd after 9th, every chance 3 out, held when hit 2 out
made all, jumped right 7th, ridden after 3 out, went right next, kept on well
chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th, ridden when hit 9th, soon weakened
towards rear, brief effort 7th
Mighty Minster, Gipsy Cricketer and Ouh Jay are three against the field in this tricky finale and the tentative vote is given to Mighty Minster. The selection was a fair second behind El Corredor last time out, that form has since been franked and off this same mark here he looks the value bet in an open affair. Gipsy Cricketer rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence. Ouh Jay was a disappointing favourite last time but he was hampered there and it would not be the biggest surprise if he were to bounce back to form. Of the remainder The Mighty Sparrow ran as if returning to form last time and is another with place claims but in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Mighty Minster.
Saby (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden 12th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 28l behind Thalys (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Longstone Boy (IRE) 15-8 (10-5) Chased winner, not fluent 5th, 3rd and not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Golden Crusader (11-5) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Lord of The Hill (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, led 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 13, 28l behind Tevere (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
The Mighty Sparrow (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders until 5th, weakened after 8th, 4th of 6, 27l behind Golden Crusader (11-5) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Mighty Minster 33-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led approaching 10th, ridden after 2 out, headed after last, not quicken, 2nd of 13, 2l behind El Corredor (11-7) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Gipsy Cricketer 16-1 (10-9) Always behind, 12th of 18, 38l behind Fieldsofclover (11-10) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Moss Bawn (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Made most to 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, 10l behind Kids Inheritance (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec.
Ouh Jay 7-2jt-fav (9-10) Led to 2nd, chased leader until stumbled 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Corrib Drift (11-4) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 15 ran.
