took keen hold, chased clear winner, slow jump 3rd, dropped to 3rd at 6th, behind from 8th, soon in rear, tailed off
jumped well, made all, clear after 2nd, unchallenged after, very easily
held up, headway into 3rd at 8th, not fluent 10th, hit 12th, struggling next, tailed off
jumped left, took keen hold in 3rd, went left and rider lost iron briefly 5th, chased winner from next, ridden approaching 3 out but never any chance
Just the four are set to face the starter and, if taking to the bigger obstacles, Qulinton could oblige; but preference is for LADY PILOT, while Yeoman Spirit and Musical Weld shouldn't be discounted in this small field. Lady Pilot finished ahead of Musical Weld last time out when making her chase debut, and with less weight to carry than her three rivals, the experience gained from last time and Tony McCoy on board, there are more positives than negatives about Jim Best's mare. Qulinton has won over hurdles in his native France, as well as here at Plumpton and Chepstow, so support in the market may indicate confidence he'll take to chasing. He's gone well after a break previously, so we're not concerned about 200 days away from a track. Yeoman Spirit is making his chase debut, but he may need the run having not been seen since May - he's not gone particularly well previously after a break. Steering us hopefully to profit, will be Lady Pilot.
Musical Weld 14-1 (10-13) Chased leader to 8th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Mr Crystal (10-13) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Qulinton (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Led, blundered 4 out, headed before next, soon weakened, 6th of 10, well behind South O'The Border (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Prominent, raced keenly, hit 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out until before 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 9l behind Saphire Night (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Lady Pilot 5-2 (10-9) Fluent 1st, held up in rear, headway when mistake 4 out, effort 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Mr Crystal (10-13) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
