mid-division, jumped right 10th, stayed on one pace from 3 out
prominent to 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off
held up in mid-division, hampered 10th, no impression
held up in mid-division, headway 10th and chased leaders, stayed on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and chased leaders 4 out, ran on well to go 3rd flat
in touch, joined leader 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway and mistake 10th, one pace after
mid-division, headway on bit 9th, led briefly after 2 out, no extra flat
chased leader,led 8th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on flat
prominent, ridden and weakened 9th, pulled up approaching 12th
held up last, headway approaching 10th, chased leaders 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, some headway 9th, headway on bit 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, driven clear approaching, ran on well flat
held up last, ridden 7th, behind
led to 8th, weakened 9th, behind
held up towards rear, ridden 8th, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden and weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Fontanesi, Mr Ed and East Tycoon are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Fontanesi. The selection was amongst the best of these over hurdles and although he lacks some scope compared to some his rivals he is beginning to get his act together over fences and won well last time out when beating Windy Spirit. Granted this looks more competitive but he looks on a handy mark and is taken to score. Mr Ed rates the main danger on his hurdles form but he has disappointed of late over fences and will need to brush up his jumping if he is to win this. East Tycoon is another that could go well as he won with plenty in hand when beating Billie John last time out. However he looks to have plenty of weight for what he has done over fences and for that reason he is opposed. Sweet Diversion has conditions to suit and is another with place claims but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and for that reason is opposed. Of the remainder Blakney Coast and Montreal remain at the right end of the handicap and could run well at fair prices but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Fontanesi.
Tango Royal (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, hampered 5th, headway and in touch 9th, led before 2 out, led clear last, ridden out, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Jul beating Impek (11-7) by 12l, 16 ran.
Mouseski 11-2 (10-8) Chased clear leader to 7th, stayed in touch, reminder 10th, weakened 4 out, last of 5, 24l behind Quazar (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr.
Fontanesi (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Prominent, led on bit after 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (D) gs in Jul beating Windy Spirit (11-0) by 5l, 3 ran.
Mr Ed (IRE) 1-2fav (11-6) Held up, headway after 9th, chased winner 4 out, close up when hit 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Mister Flint (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (D) gs in Jul.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 18, 29l behind Buena Vista (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jul.
Cameron Bridge (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Towards rear, blundered 1st, ridden along 10th, behind when fell at the 11th in race won by Lacdoudal (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Jan, 9 ran.
East Tycoon (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway 7th, led going well 3 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf beating Billie John (10-4) by 6l, 10 ran.
Bronzesmith 16-1 (10-7) Held up, always behind, 10th of 16, well behind Tango Royal (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Jul.
Sweet Diversion (IRE) 9-4 (11-13) Held up, went 2nd 3rd, led 2 out, left clear last, easily, won at Stratford 3m nov chs (D) gf in Jul beating Mr Mighty (10-8) by 15l, 4 ran.
Good Lord Louis (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed before next, 2nd when blundered badly last, not recover, 4th of 16, 14l behind Tango Royal (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Jul.
Magic Sky (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 23l behind Yes Sir (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gs.
Tamango (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead when edged left approaching last, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Jul beating Figaro du Rocher (11-12) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Isard III (FR) 11-1 (10-3) Behind, some headway after 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 16, 21l behind Tango Royal (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Jul.
Blakeney Coast (IRE) 5-1fav (10-6) Chased leaders, hit 11th, led after 4 out, clear 2 out, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Jul beating Escompteur (11-7) by 14l, 14 ran.
Montreal (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Mistake 1st, behind, ridden and headway after 9th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Shaadiva (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf.
Sunshan 4-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Philippa Yeates (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 5f chs 0-90 (F) gs in Jul.
