led, wandered around before 4th where jumped left, headed narrowly after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, went 3rd 3 out, headway to lead after 2 out, pushed out run-in and drew clear, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out and fading, blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, close up 4th, pushed along and led narrowly after 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, well held when not fluent last, kept on
prominent, slow jump 1st, lost position and ridden before 3 out, soon lost touch and tailed off
A Listed winner on the Flat, MAIFALKI is making his handicap debut over hurdles after a couple of seconds in maidens and his rider takes off 10lb. Chosen Flame has been hard to train but won over course and distance two years ago off a higher mark. Derracrin is only modest but has been fairly consistent since arriving from Ireland, though Uttoxeter winner Copper Fox looks the biggest threat to the selection.
Copper Fox 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, led next, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Crews Pitch (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Maifalki (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, led before 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Copperwell (11-4) at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Chosen Flame (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, soon held, no extra last, 5th of 6, 17l behind Well Planted (12-0) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Derracrin 50-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, closed on outside 4th, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Hats Off To Larry (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
K C Bailey 18-1 (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Hungry Tiger (11-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
