held up towards rear, headway before 12th, pushed along before 14th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, reminders 12th, soon lost place
mid-division, jumped slow 3rd, soon towards rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, in rear from 13th, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led 12th, clear from 3 out, ran on strongly
in rear, headway before 13th, went 3rd before 3 out until last, no extra
tracked leader, outpaced 13th, kept on from 2 out, no impression
led to 12th, weakened 5 out
Heezagrey has got his act together lately and has a hat-trick in his sights after wins over similar trips at Huntingdon and Fontwell. However, like recent Ffos Las third Amazing Valour, he can be a very tricky ride who is just as likely to down tools as win. With Folie A Deux likely to ensure there is no hanging about here, we'd rather take a gamble on VON GALEN. Michael Scudamore's charge is 9lb out of the handicap but that may not be too significant over this extended distance and he was given too much to do when only fourth behind Amazing Valour over 3m at Southwell last time. Archie's Wish and Shulmin are both previous C&D winners but the former returns from a lengthy absence and the latter looks a light of former days.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened from 11th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by La Pantera Rosa (11-8) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug, 14 ran.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Prominent, not fluent 10th, hit next and outpaced, went modst 3rd from 4 out, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Dunkelly Castle (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Aug.
Heezagrey (IRE) 11-4fav (9-11) In touch, went 2nd 3 out (usual 4 out), led before next, clear last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Aug beating Quayside Court (10-2) by 22l, 7 ran.
Archie's Wish 3-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, mistake 5th and next, effort on outside approaching 4 out, 3rd and no impression when hit next, lost moderate 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 20l behind Flying Squad (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Moon Melody (GER) 33-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 12, 43l behind Benmadigan (11-0) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
Shulmin 33-1 (10-1) Mid-division on outside, short lived effort after 12th, weakened last (usual 2 out), 5th of 10, 37l behind Inamalabalusaloon (10-13) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Jul.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 100-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place 11th, chased leaders under pressure 2 out (usual 3 out), stayed on to go 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Inamalabalusaloon (10-13) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Jul.
Von Galen (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 14th, headway 4 out, went 4th last, never near leaders, 4th of 12, 18l behind Amazing Valour (9-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
