chased leaders, blundered 5th, pushed along next, ridden after 4 out, outpaced and left 3rd when hampered 2 out
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, soon left clear
tracked leaders, ridden and challenged when fell 2 out
chased winner, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, jumped slow 1st, refused next
held up in rear, ridden 4 out, chased leaders approaching 3 out, left 2nd next, kept on, no impression
Although McBain was below expectations when he was beaten on his chasing debut he still jumped well on the whole and can be expected to have learnt plenty from the experience; Mandingo Chief and Fu Fighter can give him the most to do this time around, while support for chasing debutante Cardington would also be noteworthy. The last named is lightly raced and has the size to make a decent chaser. Sue Smith does very well with animals of this type and he is one to keep tabs on as he gains in experience. Fu Fighter was in the process of winding up with a challenge when he fell on his introduction to fences here in May. His mishap can be put down to inexperience and it would be extremely harsh to write him off just yet. Again the betting will be a good indicator as to how much the experience has, if at all, affected his confidence. Mandingo Chief has just over a year of chasing experience to draw from and is capable of making this a good test. The trip is just about right for Richard Phillips' charge and he rates as the main threat to the selection. However, McBain has the better acceleration and, as he is sure to have been well schooled since his visit to Newton Abbot, this tough performer is fancied to show more of his true colours at this level.
Cardington 11-4 (11-1) Led, not fluent 5th and reminders, headed after next, still every chance when not fluent 3 out, not fluent again last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Dune Raider (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed next, led 6th to 7th and 9th to 10th, led again 13th, ridden and 7 lengths clear when fell at the last in race won by Kivotos (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
McBain (USA) 4-6fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and lost touch 11th, 2nd of 7, 19l behind Sesame Rambler (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (5) gf in Jun.
Wot About Me (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) In rear, lost touch after 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Barren Lands (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Fu Fighter 9-4 (10-9) Held up in rear, moderate 3rd when blundered and fell 4 out in race won by Steppes of Gold (11-2) at Southwell 3m 2f beg chs (4) gf in May, 5 ran.
Siegfrieds Night (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Not jump well, held up, blundered 2nd, lost place from 4th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Briscoe Place (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
