with leader, led 5th, hit 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, headway approaching 5 out, weakened after 3 out
led to 5th, tracked leader, pushed along approaching 5 out, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last
tracked leaders, hit 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 5 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
Nonrunner
DEEP POCKETS bounced back to form last time out and is preferred to Topless, Wizard Of Edge and Portrait Royale. Caroline Keevil's gelding ran a fine race over hurdles at Chepstow last time and that was good to see after two poor starts earlier in the year. The return to fences shouldn't be a problem, especially off a 4lb lower mark, and a bold bid is expected. Ibberton's jumping has become a cause for concern but he won't be far away with a clear round, Topless has been holding his form well and is considered despite top-weight, whilst Valentia Island is a course winner and has no problem with testing ground. Wizard Of Edge stays well and he still looks fairly handicapped off a mark of 95, Paktol Des Brosses has a hit and miss profile, whilst Portrait Royale has come back this season in fine form and is able to race off what looks a handy mark this afternoon. Not an easy race to work out, but we are happy to side with Deep Pockets.
Topless (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Chased leader, led 10th until 18th, chased leader unti weakened between last 2, 4th of 10, 29l behind Noble Bily (9-9) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Valentia Island (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, headway when mistake 11th, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Superrollercoaster (10-6) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar '09.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Made most until 3 out, led 2 out, mistake and headed last, one pace, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Lord Crewe (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Ibberton 11-1 (10-5) Behind until blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Teeming Rain (10-10) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 13 ran.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 2-1fav (9-9) Tracked leading pair, joined leaders 11th, mistake next, ridden in 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon struggling, left well clear and hampered 2 out, won at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo Am hcp 0-115 (4) hvy beating Opus Cafe (10-4) by 34l, 5 ran.
Wizard of Edge 9-2 (10-10) Led, headed 16th, chased leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, chance 3 out, no impression on front pair after next, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Master Cobbler (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Paktol Des Brosses (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 8th, headed next, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 14, 44l behind My Skipper (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb.
