held up, took closer order 9th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner
never travelling in rear, mistake 3rd, behind and pulled up after 10th
made all, drew clear from 11th, eased flat, unchallenged
chased winner, ridden approaching 10th, soon beaten
chased leaders, gradually lost touch from 4th, tailed off from 11th
Still travelling well when falling at Exeter last time, Parson Ploughman is given a chance to make amends and gets the vote ahead of L'Orphelin and Test Of Friendship. The last mentioned, like a lot of Heater Dalton's horses has shown improved form this term and made a winning start to the season when landing a maiden chase at Sedgefield earlier this month on his reappearance. The seven-year-old looks to be reasonably well treated on that evidence and makes more appeal than Cyanara, who has his first outing since beating the very disappointing Armen at Newton Abbot in June. The handicapper has seen fit to raise the eight-year-old 8lbs since then and that looks harsh. L'Orphelin also has a rise in the handicap to overcome having been put up 12lbs for his 12-length defeat of Prince Highlight over course and distance in June. This looks tougher and the lack of a recent outing is also of concern. Topweight Prayerful gave little sign for encouragement on his chase debut recently and does not seem to be particularly well treated anyway so the vote goes to Parson Ploughman. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looked an improved performer for going over the larger obstacles when landing a handicap over course and distance on his return and was going better than anything else when falling at Exeter subsequently. Off the same mark again to day, he has an obvious chance of resuming winning ways, provided that his tumble at Exeter has not left its mark.
