held up last and well off the pace, steady headway from 16th, one pace and no impression after 4 out
set steady pace, quickened from 12th, headed next, chased winner to 18th, soon weakened
chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened quickly and hit 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 18th, upsides winner but looked held 3 out, no impression soon after next, but kept on well for clear 2nd
held up in touch, outpaced and mistake 12th, mistake next, stayed on to take moderate 3rd soon after 3 out but no danger
in touch, ridden and struggling from 16th, blundered next, tailed off
pulled hard, tracked leader, led 13th, going best when joined 3 out, in command soon after next, drew clear last, stayed on strongly
took keen hold, in touch, lost place after 12th, soon struggling, well behind when unseated rider 18th
always behind, mistake 15th, tailed off 4 out
John Best does not have many jumpers amongst his string of horses but he has been a profitable trainer to follow when he gets one ready for the winter game. Therefore, we turn to Mercato, runner up in this race last year, who can boost the returns today. Barryscourt Lad and the frustrating Whitenzo are others that have to be given a serious chance in a race of this nature and are shortlisted as the main dangers from the rest. That said, Historic won a Listed race the last time he weaved his way around here and he is also dangerous to rule out today. However, he never went a tap at Warwick in the totesport Classic chase last month and he has to put that run behind him. He may have suffered from the bounce effect but it was still disappointing that he failed to complete. He is not one to be taking too short a price about. Neither is Whitenzo, who is the only one that will know what frame of mind he is in this afternoon. If he consents to put in anything like his best, he will be in the shake-up as things unfold. If not, then he may well decide to just take a lead from the rest and play a supporting role. Barryscourt Lad finished second to the ill-fated King's Mistral in the 2002 renewal and has been very lightly campaigned since then. He will be a big threat if he is in a similar frame of mind but a 754-day absence and the poor strike-rate of his new yard are factors to be considered before taking a price about him. Therefore, Mercato looks a far more reliable option this afternoon. This race has always been the seasonal target for the nine-year-old, who can stake his claims for a crack at the Kim Muir at the Festival if all goes well today.
Barryscourt Lad (IRE) 9-2 Chased leaders, led 8th, ridden 5 out, headed after last, hard ridden and rallied to lead post, won at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (A) gd in Jan '03 beating Ryalux by a hd, 18 ran.
Dear Deal 25-1 Held up mid-division, reminders approaching 14th, ridden and went 2nd 3 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Walter's Destiny at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Historic (IRE) 8-1 Led, jumped right 1st, headed 7th, stayed prominent, ridden after 15th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Baron Windrush at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Joint Authority (IRE) 12-1 In touch, chased leaders 14th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 19l behind Longshanks at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jan.
Mercato (FR) 11-1 Held up in rear, steady headway from 16th, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 5th of 12, 39l behind Innox at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd.
Robbie's Adventure 10-1 pulled up in race won by Mrs Be at Heythrop 3m 5f ptp gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Whitenzo (FR) 6-1 Held up in mid-division, ridden 11th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Rathbawn Prince at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Not Yet Decent (IRE) 50-1 pulled up in race won by West Paces at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan, 13 ran.
River Quoile 50-1 7th of 16, 46l behind Free Gift at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
