prominent, pushed along approaching 9th, outpaced from 11th
held up in touch, led approaching 8th, jumped right last 3 fences, driven out
with leader, led 3rd, headed approaching 8th, chased leader, ridden approaching last, kept on, always held
held up and keen, pushed along after 10th, outpaced from next
tracked leaders, in rear and reminder 7th, weakened 10th, soon tailed off
led to 3rd, chased front pair, outpaced from 11th
Nonrunner
CORKAGE is the suggestion in a competitive heat with Mhilu the danger on form whilst Diablo and Laborec add further spice to the mix. Mhilu was an impressive winner of his penultimate start but he was well enough held in a better race last time and this contest looks to have comparable strength in depth. Diablo lost the plot over hurdles after a promising start but a summer off and a change of obstacles could see him recapture his form and he's useful at best. Laborec showed promise on his one chase start at Musselburgh and should find that this trip provides him with a stiff enough test at this track. He has something to find on figures over hurdles but is bred to make a chaser. Lucinda Russell's charge has to give weight away all round having made a winning chase debut over course and distance in July. He was racing over three miles when falling in handicap company last time and may appreciate the return to novice company and drop in trip. He's the highest rated in this field and Corkage is fancied to live up to the billing.
Corkage (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, blundered 8th, challenging when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by He's A Hotshot (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jul, 7 ran.
Mhilu (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Took keen hold, held up, headway to chase leading pair 4 out, outpaced and driven along after next (water), driven between last 2, trying to rally when went right last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind King Troy (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f noc chs (3) gf in Aug.
Diablo (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 7th, behind when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Weapon's Amnesty (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
Regent's Secret (USA) 12-1 (10-3) Held up, headway and in touch halfway, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 22l behind Folk Tune (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Stainley (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, lost touch and struggling from 5th, left a poor 3rd 15th, blundered next, ridden and went poor 2nd 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 4, 24l behind The Shy Man (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov stks (4) gd in May.
Waterski 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, beaten from 3 out, last of 9, well behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov stks (2) gd in Mar.
Laborec (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, blundered 5th, challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra and hung badly left flat, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Industrial Star (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
