led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 9th, headed before 3 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, headway to go 2nd before 2 out, led before last, soon clear, easily
towards rear, blundered 1st, weakened from 10th
led from 2nd , took keen hold, headed 9th, led again before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, weakened from 10th
held up in touch, headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
Well Oiled was beaten a long way in this a year ago and his only success in 18 starts over fences came over 2m4f here in September from a 9lb lower mark. This isn't a strong contest and he can go well but was seven lengths behind AUTHENTIC ACT over the C&D in June. Martin Todhunter's charge was completing a track double that day and was going comfortably when unseating his rider at Perth the following month - he can prove too strong for these rivals. Melange has been badly out of form over hurdles and makes his chasing debut so Royal Mile, whose had just one run over fences and has some scope, could prove best of the remainder.
Authentic Act (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led until jumped slow 1st, tracked leader, in 3rd when fell 9th, in a race won by Some Catch (10-0) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul, 6 ran.
Well Oiled (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 8th, not fluent 11th, hit 4 out, went 2nd briefly 2 out, 5th and beaten when hit last, 6th of 12, 10l behind Dusky Bob (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Melange (USA) 14-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3rd, lost place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Solway Silver (9-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Oct, 16 ran.
Royal Mile (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway from 9th, weakened last, 5th of 7, 25l behind The Cockney Squire (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Bunacurry 11-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Panthers Run (9-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 11 ran.
Strathaird (IRE) 200-1 (9-7) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, some headway after 3 out, no impression, weakened after next, 9th of 11, 34l behind Olympian Boy (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
