raced in last, not fluent 5th, ridden after 9th, outpaced and lost touch with leaders before 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, never on terms
in touch, shaken up after 4 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 8th, ridden along and dropped to rear after 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
towards rear, not fluent 4 out when shaken up to improve, went second going okay after 3 out, ridden to challenge when blundered last, kept on but made no impression on winner
jumped right on occasions, close up when not fluent 1st, led after 3rd, hit 8th, ridden after 3 out, went clear with runner-up from 2 out, kept on well flat
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten
jumped slightly right throughout, led, headed after 3rd and close up, ridden and every chance 3 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened flat
LUSITANIEN was well backed on his chasing bow at Worcester, despite racing from out of the handicap, and won as he liked. He is clearly going to be much better over fences than hurdles. Atlantic Storm is in the veteran stage now but has won six times over fences, including once here. Uncle O has proved expensive to follow but Magic Mike was third back over the larger obstacles at Hexham and still has time on his side.
Ballymagee (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Chased winner until 11th, went 2nd again home turn, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened and left remote 4th 2 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Sword Of Fate (12-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Atlantic Storm (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, blundered 3 out, tried to close after 2 out, no impression, well held last, 5th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Famoso (10-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Kings Justice 14-1 (10-13) Never better than midfield, 16th of 18, dist behind Any Biscuits (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Lusitanien (FR) 7-4fav (10-2) Held up in rear on outside, steady headway from 7th, not much room briefly 2 out, led flat, soon clear, won at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gs in Sep beating Mutual Respect (12-0) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Magic Mike (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 2 out, left 3rd last, no impression on winner flat, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Finalshot (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Estate Italiana (USA) 18-1 (10-6) In rear, not fluent 3rd, 6th and outpaced 4 out, no extra next, 7th of 8, dist behind Lusitanien (10-2) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Uncle O 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no extra when not fluent last, 6th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Ben Buie (11-6) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
