behind when hampered and unseated rider 5th
led 3rd, headed before 10th, chased leading pair until weakened 3 out
in touch, mistake 8th, under pressure and lost place next
held up, fell 5th
led to 3rd, remained handy until weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, mistake 4th, driven along and struggling before, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake 4th, under pressure before 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
tracked leader from 3rd, led before 10th, driven before 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied gamely to regain lead last stride
held up in touch, chased leading pair before 3 out, one pace before last
tracked leaders, chased winner after 10th, challenged 2 out, driven to lead narrowly last, headed last stride
Haafel, Forever Dream and Atum Re are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Haafel. The selection won well last time out when beating Tanikos and although he has a penalty for that win he won with plenty in hand and he is taken to defy the handicapper with conditions to suit. Forever Dream rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Peeyoutoo, but he looked far from straightforward on that occasion and at the likely odds he looks opposable. Atum Re is another that could go well on his latest second behind Scotts Grey - especially if the first time blinkers bring about some more improvement. Hawk's Landing is on a very lenient mark and could go well at a price but he has shown very little of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. Myson has conditions to suit but looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Haafel.
Farlington 7-1 (11-8) Held up in touch when fell at the 5th in race won by Kind Sir (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
Atum Re (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, outpaced approaching 12th, stayed on one pace approaching 4 out, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Scots Grey (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd.
Key Phil (FR) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, left 2nd 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 18l behind Dark'n Sharp (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs.
Cosmocrat 25-1 (11-4) In rear, headway 8th, ridden next, in 3rd when pecked last, weakened flat, 6th of 16, 19l behind Bannow Strand (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Forever Dream 4-5fav (11-0) Held up, mistake 3rd, joined leader 12th, shaken up and led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, idled flat, easily, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (D) frm in Oct beating Peeyoutwo (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Haafel (USA) 7-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, challenged 7th, led next, in command 2 out, jumped left last, driven out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft beating Tanikos (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Chantoue Royale (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 10th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Major Euro (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd, 7 ran.
Hawk's Landing (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Garryvoe (11-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs.
The Newsman (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked winner, jumped left 3rd, chased leaders from 5th until gradually lost touch from 8th, 4th of 5, 22l behind Tonic Du Charmil (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft.
Soeur Fontenail (FR) 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division when fell at the 5th in race won by Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs, 23 ran.
Myson (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders from 12th, chased winner 4 out to next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 26l behind Kausse de Thaix (11-1) at Windsor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
Acertack (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Always in the rear, 13th of 16, well behind Bannow Strand (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Fantasmic 25-1 (11-0) Not fluent, behind, mistake 3rd, lost touch 7th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Lorient Express (10-7) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf, 8 ran.
