held up behind leading quartett, lost place 8th, slow and behind next, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
held up behind leading quartett, lost place before 12th, last and struggling 13th, mistake 17th, tailed off in 7th and pulled up before last
chased leaders, 4th and not on terms with leading trio when blundered 18th, tailed off in 4th when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
pressed leader, led 12th, joined and strongly pressed when blundered and headed 3 out, soon no chance with leading duo
held up towards rear, steady headway to 4th at 15th, effort to lead 3 out, ridden next, mistake and headed last, soon no chance with winner
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 8th, went 2nd 12th, challenged and upsides when hit 3 out, chased leader, driven to close before last, led last, soon drew well clear, stayed on strongly
slight lead but pressed, blundered and headed 12th, soon lost place, went modest 4th and went right 2 out, tired and went right last
chased leaders, stumbled 4th, mistake 8th, struggling 15th, no extra in modest 4th before 3 out, tired went right and lost 4th 2 out, went badly right and just about clambered over last tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, reminders before 12th, tailed off 4 out
Only two of these have had a recent run but Earth Planet is probably a shade high in the weights and Local Present was pulled up at Chepstow 11 days ago. Very Stylish got his act together over the summer but has been raised a massive 17lb since scoring at Ffos Las in June. Soixante is back on a winning mark, however, while Appleaday is usually thereabouts but gets little respite from the handicapper as a result. HOLD ON JULIO only won a maiden hunter chase at Kelso in April but was a prolific winner between the flags and current connections paid £28,000 for him at Doncaster's May sales. He has scope and may not be badly treated on his first try at this level so gets a tentative vote.
Pak Jack (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Led, jumped right 3 out, soon under pressure, pressed last, hard ridden run-in, stayed on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating La Pantera Rosa (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Very Stylish (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 8th, in command last, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun beating Lord Ryeford (11-5) by 9l, 6 ran.
Soixante (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Prominent, hit 1st, led 6th, strongly challenged after 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Coup Royale (10-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Appleaday (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd last stride, 4th of 10, 5l behind Shake The Barley (10-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Earth Planet (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, jumped slowly 7th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Iheardu (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Hold On Julio (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistakes 7th and 15th, led on bit approaching last, soon clear, won at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (5) gs in Apr beating Marksmore (11-9) by 28l, 10 ran.
Moleskin (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Led, reminder 7th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened after 2 out, last of 3, 12l behind Valentine Vic (10-9) at Chepstow 3m 2f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Craiglands (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Held up in close 4th, went 3rd 10th, not fluent and ridden along 12th, led before 3 out, headed approaching next, no extra last, 3rd of 4, 36l behind Pairc Na Gcapall (11-8) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Local Present (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden approaching 6th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Rossmore Lad (11-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
