held up, pushed along and weakened approaching 4 out
held up mid-division, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, no impression from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, weakened from 8th, behind when pulled up after 12th, tailed off
held up mid-division, outpaced 5 out, kept on and no impression from 2 out
in touch, led approaching 5th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, in third and held when stumbled last, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, challenged when mistake next, weakened flat
led until approaching 5th, remained close up, led again approaching 3 out, kept on well driven out
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 14th, soon tailed off
chased leaders, took closer order 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
There are some experienced and capable performers in this contest including Kells Castle and Catch The Perk but a chance is taken with FLEMISH INVADER. The Twiston-Davies runner is making his debut over fences but he has won a bumper and a race over hurdles at this track and may be able to hold his own. The handicapper knows all about his rivals so it may be worth taking a chance with this youngster who has always looked a chaser in the making. Kells Castle has been in fine form and McCoy is the ideal partner for this dour stayer but he's been raised by another 4lbs for his run at Bangor and the handicapper may now have the upper hand. Catch The Perk is something of a course specialist with five wins and a further six placed runs from twenty starts and he's a pound lower than for the last of those successes once his pilot's claim is taken into account although that was over hurdles. Graham Lee rides Seize in preference to Lucky Nellerie and his mount is relatively unexposed over fences but doesn't have a great strike rate. All Rise was in fine form in the summer but may be a pound or two too high in the weights but the versatile Reel Charmer appears to have got his act together over fences and is well handicapped on his form over the smaller obstacles. There are plenty in with chances but Flemish Invader may be able to repel all challengers.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Daldini (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Reel Charmer 7-2fav (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well 1f out, driven out, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Aug beating Marrel (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened approaching 14th, well tailed off when refused 2 out, in a race won by Aleron (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May, 12 ran.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 17-2 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 5th, struggling when not fluent 12th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Roulez Cool (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Top Dressing (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 6th of 10, well behind Reel Charmer (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Aug.
All Rise (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Led until after 3rd, chasing leaders when fell 12th, in a race won by Crozan (11-0) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jul, 13 ran.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, rallied between last 2, stayed on strongly to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 14, nk behind Esme Rides A Gaine (10-0) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Stagecoach Diamond (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Flemish Invader (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 15, 19l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Chased leader, not fluent 9th, not much room and very awkward 3 out, soon outpaced, eased and pulled up before 2 out, dismounted, in a race won by American World (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr, 3 ran.
Kells Castle 15-8fav (11-10) Led to 2nd, regained lead 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Oscar Glory (10-13) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Seize 6-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 16th, led close 2nd 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon lost place and rallied flat to go poor 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Nicozetto (10-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Coldwells (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, close up and badly hampered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Nicozetto (10-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in May, 8 ran.
Silver By Nature 14-1 (11-3) Led, headed 4 out, soon ridden, close up and every chance when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Jaunty Flight (10-13) at Perth 3m nov stks (2) gd in Apr, 6 ran.