chased leaders, outpaced after 12th, behind, rallied approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, hung left and no extra flat
held up, hit 9th, smooth headway to go 2nd after 12th, hampered 3 out, led after 2 out, soon ridden, headed and weakened approaching last
held up, ridden and steady headway after 12th, stayed on well to lead approaching last, driven out
chased leader, led and jumped right from 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened
jumped right throughout, led until 5th, chased leader until 11th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off
This is a trappy handicap in which Uncle Mick is taken to get the better of Rolfes Delight and River Quoile. The selection is not one to be confident about as he was a fortunate winner over this course and distance last time. However, that effort may boost his confidence and he is running well enough to go close. Rolfes Delight is another course and distance winner who was returning from a 9-month break when scoring here last time. However, although he has the services of AP McCoy today, he has run well fresh in the last and then failed to build on that. He has claims but his habit of disappointing after a good effort goes against him. River Quoile is held by our selection from their recent meeting here when he was a beaten favourite. He would have claims on his best form but his jumping was far from fluent last time and we will oppose him again today. Southerndown ran well last time and looks the best of the remainder, but for the winner we will stick with Uncle Mick.
Uncle Mick (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 9th, outpaced after 12th, rallied 2 out, led soon after last, stayed on, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (F) gf beating Connemara Mist (10-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Rolfes Delight 11-2 (10-5) In touch, led 6th, pushed clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jul beating Presence of Mind (11-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Southerndown (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Held up, steady headway from 11th, tracked winner 2 out, soon challenged, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Corkan (10-0) at N Abbot 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (F) gs.
Cyindien (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Held up, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 25l behind Fearless Mel (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Connemara Mist (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Led, hit 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, left 3rd and every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Uncle Mick (11-12) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (F) gf.
River Quoile 3-1 (10-1) Tracked leader to 10th, hit next, tracked leader from 14th, left 2nd three out, every chance from next, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Pangeran (9-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs (F) gf.
