held up in rear, headway after 3 out, beaten approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat
not fluent, led after 1st until 2nd, lost place after next, well behind 7th, tailed off next, pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 8th or 9th, headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon every chance, wandered under strong pressure between last 2, not quicken flat
mistake 1st, raced keenly in touch, not fluent 9th, weakened 3 out
made virtually all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat
in touch, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, soon pulled up
prominent, pressed winner from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, not fluent 2nd, losing touch 7th, tailed off next, pulled up before 9th
Brenin Cwmtudu is hard to oppose in this company and gets a solid vote of confidence. John Fenton and High Ball are others consider, while Fresh Air And Fun, as the mount of Tony McCoy is likely to take a chunk of the market on jockey bookings alone. The champion jockey will need the gelding to pull something out of the fire if he is to partner another winner here, though. High Ball has progressed nicely in each of his previous starts and comes here with a solid chance of making the frame. He makes appeal for a place at the likely odds. John Fenton was placed in a couple of point-to-points before making his rules debut at Worcester three weeks ago. He is entitled to improve for the run and can give the selection plenty to think about. However, Brenin Cwmtudu is ideally suited by a stiff test of endurance and, as he proved he is on the upgrade with a smooth success at Wincanton when he was last seen out, the Evan Williams-trained gelding is worth keeping on your side here.
Brenin Cwmtudu 18-1 (11-0) Held up behind, smooth progress from 7th, led 2 out, kept on, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Petito (10-7) by 1l, 13 ran.
Final Veto 11-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, not jump well, ridden approaching 8th, weakened from next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Cee Cee Rider (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Good Line (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 6th, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 11, 21l behind Winter Star (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway 7th, hung left after 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 5th of 14, 12l behind Mizen Raven (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
High Ball (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, steady headway 7th, ridden, outpaced 3 out, plugged on, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Black Anshan (11-5) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
John Fenton (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway after 6th, ridden to chase winner, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, every chance flat, all out, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Black Anshan (11-5) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Rules Apply (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In touch, weakening when fell at the 10th in race won by Piran (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
Willie Wong (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon no extra, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Eighteenfifty (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd.
Sideon Arthur (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division until ridden and weakened 7f out, 9th of 12, 46l behind Abou Ben (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jul.
