tracked leaders, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, kept on under pressure flat
held up, effort, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden last, stayed on well towards 2nd flat
chased leaders to 5th, soon pushed along, tailed off from 3 out
held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on same pace
held up and behind, blundered 7th, never dangerous
in touch, led 5th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
led to 5th, chased leader until lost place 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, stayed on well
East Lawyer can give Paul Nicholls a winner, with Sardagna, Super Nomad and Polar Gunner just three main dangers. Nicholls did have the option of running easy Taunton winner Andreas here, but relies instead on East Lawyer, successful in novice company at Chepstow and Taunton earlier in the year. He may not have lasted out when beaten by Wrags To Riches at Exeter next time, and then had to give weight away all round at Wincanton on his first try out of novice company. He was a creditable fourth to Runner Bean there, and with conditions likely to suit, he is taken to get back to winning ways under Ruby Walsh. Jarro finished ahead of him at Wincanton but may have it to do on the revised terms. Sardagna is pitched in at the deep end after making the most of all the allowances to beat a small field at Fontwell on her chase debut. Mind you, she impressed with her jumping at the Sussex track and should not be ruled out. Super Nomad has bags more experience but has topweight to overcome, while Polar Gunner will appreciate being back over fences. Island Faith was pulled up in Grade 3 company at Aintree but had looked the part when scoring at Warwick earlier in the season and is another worthy of note, but East Lawyer is preferred.
Super Nomad 7-1 In touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Old Marsh at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Island Faith (IRE) 12-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fota Island at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs, 15 ran.
Jarro (FR) 11-1 Held up, not fluent 5th, smooth headway 9th, ridden to lead after 2 out, no extra when headed run-in, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Runner Bean at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
East Lawyer (FR) 6-4fav Held up, pecked badly 8th, ridden after 4 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 8l behind Runner Bean at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Sardagna (FR) 4-9fav Tracked leaders, pecked 2nd, headway to join leaders 9th, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) sft in Mar beating Oulton Broad by 3l, 4 ran.
Polar Gunner 8-11fav Tracked leaders, headway 4th, led next, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 13l behind Dark Ben at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Mar.
Black Bullet (NZ) 14-1 Led, ridden jumped right and headed 2 out, soon weakened and jumped right last, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Imaginaire at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Mar.
Encore Cadoudal (FR) 3-1 Held up towards rear, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Tribal Dispute at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (E) gd.
