tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, not fluent 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out
led until 4th, chased leader, ridden after 10th, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, led 4th, not fluent 5th or 2 out, comfortably
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, went 4th 3 out, no impression, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, no impression when not fluent last
Sandanski will have been well schooled but did finish more than 20 lengths behind Academy General over the smaller obstacles at Worcester in May. Foundry Square has only had four starts under Rules but has won three point-to-points so should improve on his second at Cartmel two weeks ago, his first run over regulation fences. He is preferred to Dave Richards' likeable mare Another Kate, who may need this after a lay-off. JIMBILL has plenty of scope and is the most interesting long-term prospect so gets the nod. He's been quite highly tried and, though another who's been off for a while, will be a threat if fully wound-up and recent rain is very much in his favour.
Academy General (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led narrowly, not fluent 10th, headed 3 out, ridden and no chance with front pair from next, lost moderate 3rd near finish, 4th of 7, 26l behind Victor Leudorum (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Foundry Square (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Led, jumped slowly 3rd, headed 10th, slow again next, led after last, headed on bend turning for home, one pace, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Bracken House (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Jimbill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, led after fence, headed after 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Saphir River (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Riddlestown (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Raced wide in mid-division, steady headway 8th, went 3rd 3 out, outpaced soon after next, weakened to 4th flat, 4th of 12, 20l behind Harangue (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Tinelyra (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, 4th and one pace last, 4th of 15, 12l behind Royal Peak (11-10) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Another Kate (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, jumped big and slow early, went modest 3rd before 7th until after 4 out, went 3rd again after 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 39l behind Peckhamecho (11-4) at Stratford 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Sep '12.
Darkestbeforedawn (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) With leader, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Taste The Wine (9-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Sandanski (IRE) 11-8 (10-13) Tracked leader until 8th, soon ridden, switched right before next, weakened approching 3 out, 4th of 6, 22l behind Academy General (10-13) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
