mid-division, pushed along 11th, weakened after 13th
chased leaders and fell 2nd
hampered 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on to take moderate 3rd towards finish
held up, headway 8th, ridden approaching 10th, soon weakened
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 4th, ridden after 13th, weakened after 2 out
led and jumped right, headed 5th, led again 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
refused to race, took no part
chased winner, led 5th to 8th, ridden and pecked 2 out, every chance when hit last, not quicken flat
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, behind from 9th
hampered 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, pushed along after 13th, soon weakened
Moss Bawn stands out here and is selected, with the 'possibly best of the rest' tag going to Now Then Sid and Billie John. There are some out of form or fairly exposed types in this race, but not so with Moss Bawn, who exploited what looked like a lenient handicap mark based on his Irish form to win in first-time headgear last time. A seven-pound penalty does not disguise the fact that he remains well treated. There is no doubt that Billie John (who is 17 pounds better off for the nine lengths that Now Then Sid beat him back in September, although the latter comes here in better current form and is respected) is well handicapped in terms of running a good race if anywhere near his best of the last 12 months or so, and Just Reuben's recent run at this track certainly reflects him in a good light. Finally, given that the lightly-raced Firion King is due to go up by four pounds in the ratings following his fair Uttoxeter run, he is entitled to some thought. Overall, though, the selection has to be Moss Bawn.
Rifleman (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden to chase winner between last 2, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Field Roller (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Infini (FR) 25-1 (9-12) Led hit 7th, headed 15th, weakened next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Sir Frosty (9-11) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in May, 11 ran.
Billie John (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, dropped rear 8th, outpaced 4 out, 6th of 13, 23l behind Civil Gent (9-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Now Then Sid 3-1fav (11-7) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner approaching next, one pace, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Borehill Joker (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Yassar (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Hit 6th, always in rear, 10th of 18, 33l behind Fieldsofclover (11-10) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Moss Bawn (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Made all, jumped right 7th, ridden after 3 out, went right next, kept on well, won at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Gipsy Cricketer (10-4) by 5l, 10 ran.
Per Amore (IRE) 17-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, beaten when badly hampered last, 6th of 10, 17l behind Borehill Joker (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Just Reuben (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Close up, led 12th, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced 2 out, rallied to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Borehill Joker (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
