prominent, disputed lead from 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened next
led, joined from 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon weakened
behind when blundered and unseated rider 4th
held up, jumped slowly 9th, soon driven, behind when fell 3 out
held up, jumped slowly 3rd, struggling and reluctant from 5th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, driven to challenge approaching 12th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, comfortably
in touch, weakened after 11th
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on moderately to take remote 3rd
Whispered Secret is likely to be at short odds and is hard to oppose so gets the vote ahead of Izzykeen and Heather Lad. The last mentioned has performed creditably in two starts since falling here in July and should run to a similar level again. Jim Lad ran better in a novices' handicap here last time but needs to improve to trouble the selection and of more interest is Sue Smith's Izzykeen, who is rated 110 over hurdles and had little chance behind the useful Unleash on his chasing bow. He was well held by Whispered Secret, who was not beaten far by the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding that day, and granted a clear round Martin Pipe's gelding should go one better today.
Heather Lad 8-1 (10-12) Soon behind and outpaced, mistake and reminders 4th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 10, 21l behind King Eider (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (E) gf.
Izzykeen 9-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, chased leader from 4th, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Unleash (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf.
Jim Lad 14-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden to dispute lead 2 out and again last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Pure Brief (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf.
Known Maneuver (USA) 100-1 (9-13) Behind, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 17l behind Pure Brief (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf.
Saposcat (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Held up, lost touch from 10th, 3rd of 4, well behind Sweet Diversion (11-13) at Stratford 3m nov chs (D) gf in Jul.
Whispered Secret (GER) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up rear, headway after 11th, ridden 3 out, every chance last, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Unleash (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf.
Miss Jessica (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leader after 2nd, led 5th to 6th, weakened after 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Charlies Double (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Jun, 15 ran.
Oscars Vision (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 20, 26l behind Marathea (10-3) at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (F) gf.
