jumped right 1st two circuits but better on final circuit, led until 4th, chased leader, led again 7th, clever 12th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and joined last, headed and no extra close home
chased leading pair, went 2nd 10th, hit 3 out, ridden and upsides last, stayed on gamely to lead close home
chased leader, led 4th, not fluent 6th, not fluent and headed 7th, lost 2nd 10th, hit 11th and lost touch, tailed off
held up in 4th, not fluent 3rd, blundered and unseated rider next
Nonrunner
Fort Gabriel has struggled since landing a double over fences during the summer and a similar comment applies to Little Windmill, who won at Plumpton in April. Fair To Middling was still in contention when falling at Southwell last time and is preferred to Velvet Cognac but another chance goes to DOITFORJOE. He’s yet to win in five starts over the larger obstacles but has slipped 9lb down the weights and gave notice of a big run here with last month’s third at Worcester.
Fort Gabriel (FR) 9-2 (12-0) Led until 2nd, prominent, blundered badly and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 33l behind Strumble Head (12-0) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Doitforjoe (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 11th, headway 4 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Cuirassier Dempire (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Little Windmill (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leader 1st, led 2nd, blundered badly and headed 9th, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 34 1/4l behind Findusatgorcombe (10-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Fair To Middling 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, headed 4 out, about 2 lengths down in 2nd when fell 3 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Velvet Cognac 28-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, reminders before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 19l behind Brian Boranha (11-5) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
