held up in last pair, closed after 8th, not fluent next, ridden after 3 out, no impression on winner next, stayed on same pace
held up in last pair, closed after 8th, not clear run briefly before leading next, in command 2 out, ridden out
chased leader, closed after 8th, led before next, soon headed, not fluent 10th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
jumped right, led and soon clear, headed before 9th, soon weakened, tailed off
Compton Blue disappointed at Uttoxeter having won at Market Rasen before that and is stepping up in trip for this. PIPER HILL looks a safer bet as he scored by 12 lengths at Bangor last week and that looks stronger form than Carmela Maria's victory over course and distance for which she's been raised 12lb. Hodgson has won twice over fences but has yet to figure in five starts over the smaller obstacles.
Compton Blue 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, driven 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 45l behind Della Sun (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
Piper Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, headway halfway, led after 3 out mistake 2 out, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug beating Bob Lewis (10-9) by 12l, 6 ran.
Hodgson (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Tracked leader until 2nd, pushed along before 10th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Strobe (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Carmela Maria 12-1 (11-0) In rear, reminders after 5th, headway on outside to chase leaders approaching 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on flat and always holding on, won at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jul beating Fromthetop (10-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
