in touch, headway 11th, struggling and one pace when hit last
mid-division, ridden 7th, blundered 9th, no danger after
tracked leader when mistake 8th, no impression after
mid-division, behind from 9th
in rear, never dangerous
led, headed 7th, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead last, stayed on, readily
tracked leader, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
in rear, mistake 9th, one pace from 2 out
held up, mistake 7th, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from last
held up, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
This should rest between ALTO STRATUS and Granite Man and we will take the former to score. Alto Stratus has the beating of both Fred Bojangals and I'm Your Man once again, after putting that pair to the sword at Cartmel recently. Arguably he still has to prove his stamina over this trip, but he was not stopping over two furlongs shorter and he looks the one to be on. Granite Man found just Royal China too good at Southwell last time and has a fair bit of experience but a 5lb rise for that defeat makes him less appealing. This trip would be a little on the short side for Sycho Fred, who also ran well at Cartmel, but Toulouse Express looks capable of some involvement come the business end. Alto Stratus can make it back-to-back wins. (Jonathan Doidge)
Woody Valentine (USA) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, close up 2nd when fell 5 out in race won by Alto Stratus (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Aug, 8 ran.
Particle (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, soon lost place, 10th of 13, well behind McQueen (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Aug.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, blundered 4th, ridden and beaten 10th, went moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Ground Breaker (11-1) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Alto Stratus 10-1 (10-11) In touch, went 2nd 4 out, led after last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Aug beating Fred Bojangals (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 4 out, led after last, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Livingonaknifedge (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Aug.
Ngong Hills (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Led to 15th, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Present Gale (10-11) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
I'm Your Man 11-4 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and headed after last, soon outpaced, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Alto Stratus (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Aug.
Perly Spencer (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ballinruane (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Jul, 15 ran.
Seek The Truth (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 47l behind Gray Mountain (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Behind, effort when hit 8th, ridden and outpaced next, stayed on under pressure from last, went 2nd final 100 yards, no impression, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Alto Stratus (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Aug.
Granite Man (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 4 out, led, not fluent last, soon headed, stayed on, 2nd of 16, shd behind Royal China (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Close up, lost place 7th, no danger after, 7th of 10, well behind Don't Ask Me (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
