mid-division and mistakes early, move headway to track leader 6th, led 11th, ridden from last and eased near finish
tracked leader, led 5th, headed 11th, soon ridden and kept on one pace
held up, headway to chase leading pair at the 10th, effort next, a poor 3rd when jumped badly left 2 out, went 4th close home
mid-division until lost touch 8th, pulled up before 10th
towards rear, lost touch 6th and pulled up before 10th
led till headed 5th, ridden and weakened from 10th, soon beaten
mid-division, weakened 10th, tailed off next, plugged on to go 3rd near finish
mid-division, blundered 4th and weakened from 10th
Thunder Hawk, Franc Villez and The Saltire Tiger are the three to look at here with Franc Villez getting the vote to follow up a last time out success. Thunder Hawk is lightly raced and after an emphatic Hunter Chase success at Hexham, he made his handicap bow last week and ran with great credit, only run out of it in the closing stages and finishing a close third. Learning all the time a bold showing is expected. The Saltire Tiger has only a Hexham success to his credit, and was beaten a long way last time, but this is a race that does not have much depth to it and if he puts his best foot forward he can reach a place. Irish Raider Franc Villez was not winning out of turn when scoring last time, as he had been a good third prior to that success. He handles all types of ground so any rain would not hamper his chances. Franc Villez has sound claims here and gets the vote.
Franc Villez (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway and close up 4 out, led next, ridden from approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd beating Andrew Nick (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Thunder Hawk (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) In touch, effort 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Apollo Creed (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Harry Flashman 12-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 9th of 15, 21l behind Liberate (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Heart Of West (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) In touch, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Terrible Tenant (11-9) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov '06, 10 ran.
Moneamon 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, lost touch from 14th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Franc Villez (10-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd, 12 ran.
Not A Trace (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) In touch, effort 10th, ridden next, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Classic Harry (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
The Saltire Tiger 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, some headway from 13th, ridden and no extra from 4 out, 5th of 15, 50l behind Bauhaus (11-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Caher Lass (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, led briefly 7 out, ridden in 2nd before 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up in race won by Cape Verde Sal (10-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 gf in Jun, 16 ran.
Oh Really (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Led until lame and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Franc Villez (10-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd, 12 ran.
