held up, steady progress 6th, weakened 13th, tailed off
prominent until weakened 9th, tailed off
behind from 4th
led into start, soon prominent, chased leader from 2nd, led 12th to 4 out, soon weakened
prominent until weakened 13th
held up, headway 11th, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, comfortably
held up, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, led 4 out to 3 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace
held up, not fluent 12th, never troubled leaders
led to 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
Heavenly Promise ran well for second over hurdles at Fontwell recently though is 6lb higher back over fences and this is a much shorter trip. GRAND COUREUR is preferred on his recent chasing success over 2m4f at Bangor and Oliver Greenall’s charge is taken to go in again raised only 3lb. Roxyfet won here early in the year and scored again at Hexham in May when beating Black Kettle but soft ground is a worry for both him and Spinning Scooter, who scored at Perth during the summer. Le Drapeau returns having undergone wind surgery since last in action though has yet to win.
No Such Number 40-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, driven and lost place before 2 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Trongate (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Le Drapeau (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon lost place, under pressure 10th, soon behind, 6th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Conas Taoi (10-4) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Roxyfet (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, slow 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Casimir Du Clos (10-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Spinning Scooter 6-1 (10-13) Led in start and slowly away, behind when hit and unseated rider 1st, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Black Kettle (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased (clear) winner after 1st, lost 2nd 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Ringaringarosie (10-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Heavenly Promise (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Keen in rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, every chance from 2 out, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Luck Of The Legion (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Grand Coureur (FR) 2-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, jumped slowly in places, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Sidsteel (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Jacobite Rising (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, closed 3rd, left disputing lead 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Write It Down (11-7) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Brother Scott 25-1 (10-5) Led, clear 4th until 7th, headed before not fluent last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Casimir Du Clos (10-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
