led to 4th, led again 7th, clear after 2 out, kept on well
tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, kept on and no chance with winner
in rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
held up towards rear, struggling from 6th, tailed off
in touch in 4th, went 3rd from 7th, kept on from 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out
towards rear, mistake 4th, weakened before 9th
mid-division, mistake 1st, soon towards rear, soon struggling, in rear from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Major Ivan may have given the useful Out Sam something to think about had he not fallen two out at Catterick in January. He has more scope than the likes of Quick Brew and the penalised Prince Khurram. Baraboy is a winning hurdler and so is Closest Friend, only beaten a neck on his only previous try over fences at Huntingdon in May. MIXBOY won in a canter at Cartmel in July and looks to have a future over the larger obstacles. This is obviously much tougher but he'll strip fitter today and can defy the extra 7lb.
Mixboy (FR) 8-11fav (11-9) Made all, clear from last, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gd in Jul beating The Society Man (11-9) by 26l, 5 ran.
Prince Khurram 13-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, badly outpaced 4 out, rallied last, went 3rd run-in, kept on well, not reach leading duo, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind No Ceiling (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Baraboy (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Slowly away, behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Eez Eh (9-4) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Chain Of Beacons 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, 4th and beaten last, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Blake Dean (10-12) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Closest Friend 11-1 (11-10) Off the pace in mid-division, never on terms, 7th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Instant Karma (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Major Ivan (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Tracked winner, staying on and about 2 lengths down but looking held when fell 2 out, at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Quick Brew 7-2 (10-5) Held up in 5th, close enough when fell 9th, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
S For Estuary (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders to 4 out, soon outpaced and behind, kept on under pressure from last, never a threat, 5th of 13, 24l behind Solway Legend (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Court Painter (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Abbeyview (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in May.