held up in touch, headway 4 out, led before next, ridden and idled flat, held on towards finish
tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, stayed and every chance last, no extra towards finish
led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 7th, ridden and blundered 4 out, soon headed and weakened
in touch to 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, headway 4 out, blundered next, ridden to challenge 2 out, blundered last, stayed on well under pressure flat, just held
held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden 2 out, kept on, not reach leaders
held up in touch, lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, collapsed
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
Schuh Shine has been a model of consistency and can make the most of the weight that he receives from Almost Broke, with Powder Creek and Tonic Du Charmil others to note. Schuh Shine hardly set the world alight over hurdles, but has taken really well to fences this year, having won four of his five outings. Naturally he has been going up the weights, but in the light of subsequent happenings, Venetia Williams' eight-year-old was not disgraced at all in playing second fiddle to Joes Edge at Aintree last time, as the latter went on to land the Scottish National at the weekend. So, with that form to back him up, it is hard not to nominate him as the leading candidate here. Almost Broke looks held on the Aintree form and will do well to turn the tables, despite having Ruby Walsh to help, while Powder Creek has more on his plate than when getting up close home to score at Kelso. Tonic Du Charmil has time on his side but really needs to get his jumping together, and Key Phil has plenty of weight, so Schuh Shine has obvious claims and will be hard to beat.
Almost Broke 10-3fav Prominent, blundered 11th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 33l behind Joes Edge at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (B) gs.
Key Phil (FR) 13-2 Chased leader, led 6th, hit 2 out, clear flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft beating Bob's Buster by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Schuh Shine (IRE) 4-1 Made most, hit 9th and 10th, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Joes Edge at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (B) gs.
Deep Water (USA) 10-1 Held up, outpaced 10th, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Noisetine at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft.
Powder Creek (IRE) 7-2fav Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead close home, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs beating Kids Inheritance by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Pillaging Pict 20-1 Held up in rear, headway 4 out to track leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 20l behind Haut de Gamme at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft in Mar.
Chergan (IRE) 11-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 19l behind Old Marsh at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 11-4 Led, mistake 2nd, ridden when fell 5 out in race won by Indien Royal at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (D) gs, 5 ran.
