prominent, chased winner 8th, challenged approaching 3 out, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, held when hit last, no chance after
made all and set fast pace, ridden 3 out, kept on well flat
towards rear, lost touch after 9th, behind
mid-division, ridden and lost touch approaching 10th, behind
chased winner, ridden 4 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace
soon struggling in rear, lost touch 6th, pulled up after 9th
Nonrunner
ROBY DE CIMBRE and Apollo Creed are both progressive chasers however the former may just have more scope for further improvement. Officially rated four pounds inferior to Apollo Creed, the selection comes here on the back of a facile win at the track. He steps up in trip today but that should be no problem for this well-built gelding and he can continue his rise up the Novice ladder. Apollo Creed is the obvious danger; Nigel Twiston-Davies' gelding drops in trip today but he arguably wouldn't want any rain and he may just be reaching the ceiling of his ability. Contact Dancer is very consistent and doesn't have too much to find at these weights, whilst Linden Boy and Go Free give John O'Shea just an average hand in a tough contest. Two progressive sorts on show, with Roby De Cimbre, another strapping Terry Warner-owned grey, likely to take all the beating.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up, effort 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, tailed off when virtually pulled up flat, 6th of 8, well behind Love That Benny (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, clear 3rd until not fleunt 6th, driven after 4 out, headed 3 out, rallied flat, stayed on, 2nd of 5, nk behind Brinkmanship (11-5) at Southwell 3m nov chs (4) gf.
Bright Green 20-1 (11-1) Always in rear, 8th of 11, well behind Masterpoint (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jul.
For Laura 100-1 (10-11) Not fluent early, always well behind, last of 7, well behind Qrackers (10-6) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd.
Go Free 13-2 (10-11) In rear, weakening when blundered 3 out, 4th of 10, 44l behind Brinkmanship (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Linden Boy (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Prominent, weakened 5th, 8th of 9, 30l behind Fantastic Arts (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jul.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 1-4fav (11-11) Made all, shaken up after 3 out, soon clear, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) sft beating Pipers Legend (11-1) by 10l, 4 ran.
