behind, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
held up, ridden 9th and soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out, kept on well run to press for 3rd near finish
chased leaders, weakening when blundered 4 out
behind, made headway approaching 10th, pulled up before 4 out, lame
led to 2nd, chased leader, reminders and lost 2nd at 10th, no chance with front pair from 4 out
jumped right, led 2nd, driven and headed 2 out, no chance with easy winner
held up, headway to track leading pair 7th, went 2nd and going well 10th, led 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish
chased leaders until lost place 6th, blundered and pulled up 10th
blundered badly 2nd and pulled up
blundered and lost place 4th, struggling when blundered 9th, tailed off
Highland Chief and Abraham Smith both have claims if fit enough for their seasonal reappearances but lack of a recent run is of concern for both and a safer bet looks to be Secret Glen who gets the vote. The selection has translated his winning point-to-point form over regulation fences of late, latterly when good value for his success over course and distance last month for which an 8lb rise is perfectly fair. The eight-year-old is taken to follow up that success and make the most of being fit and in form. Henrietta Knight's Folie A Deux should improve for his reappearance run at Fontwell earlier this month but needs to, while Slick could probably do with some help from the handicapper. In terms of quality, this is not a particularly good looking contest but Secret Glen has solid claims and is hard to oppose.
Slick (FR) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, weakening when mistake 4th, blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Kilrogan (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs (4) gf in Sept, 13 ran.
Abraham Smith 17-2 (10-13) Led 3rd, headed 10th, led 11th to 14th, hung left approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 12, 14l behind Beauchamp Prince (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 42l behind Minaad (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Mapilut du Moulin (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 9l behind Armoury House (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Secret Glen (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Led until 5th, chased leader, left in lead 10th, ridden after 3 out, in command next, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept beating Kilrogan (11-10) by 4l, 10 ran.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 66-1 (10-8) Always behind, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sunisa (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Highland Chief (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Led 2nd to 4th, led 5th to 7th, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 25l behind Romney Marsh (10-10) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Led until 8th, soon weakened, 17th of 18, well behind Third Level Tom (11-5) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Auburn Grey 20-1 (9-7) Prominent, stumbled bend after 3rd, weakened 6th, 6th of 10, 23l behind Kick And Prance (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Vulcan's Ash 66-1 (10-7) Chased winner until hit 5th, soon lost place, lost touch from 10th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Patman Du Charmil (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf.
