held up in rear, hampered 1st, always behind
held up in touch, slow 4th, soon mid-division, weakened before 4 out
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon no impression
held up in touch, effort approaching 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, led 7th, headed last, hard ridden and rallied, just failed
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, weakened before last
led until 7th, remained prominent, weakened 4 out
mistake 1st, held up mid-division, never on terms
tracked leaders, challenging when mistake 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, lost place after 7th
mid-division, weakened 5 out
pulled hard towards rear, unseated rider 5th
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, every chance after 2 out, led after last, held on under pressure
Presentandcorrect is in good heart and can return to winning ways here at the main expense of Tycoon Hall and Earlsfield Raider, while Vivid Imagination is respected on his return from a long absence. Presentandcorrect has enjoyed two wins from just four starts this calendar year and makes his chasing debut here. Rated 115 over hurdles, he should have too much speed for these provided there are no jumping mishaps, and we can take it on trust that Philip Hobbs will have him well schooled, so he is the pick. Tycoon Hall has been rated at a similar level over hurdles but his form was tailing off. However, his chase debut, when finishing runner up to Two Miles West at Newton Abbot last month, was decent in the context of this and he won't be far away. Earlsfield Raider would have a definite chance if this were over hurdles, but he has a bit to prove over the bigger obstacles on what we have seen so far and Vivid Imagination may be of more interest. The Martin Pipe-owned gelding has not run since April 2005 but he was rated 121 at his best over hurdles and if the yard have him right - which is entirely possible - then he could be the fly in the ointment. Watch the market for clues as to his chance, but without that knowledge Presentandcorrect is our selection.
Azkaban Wings (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) In rear, reminders after 4th, mistake 5th, struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Lazy But Lively (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jul, 15 ran.
Earlsfield Raider 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 10th, led 12th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, well behind Berengario (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Jul.
Garston Star 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 9th, weakened next, 8th of 12, 36l behind Berengario (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Jack Dawson (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders when fell in race won by That Look (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Aug, 13 ran.
Michabo (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Led, headed after 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 35l behind Border Tale (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 27l behind Rossin Gold (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jun.
Presentandcorrect (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) In touch, challenged 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sabre Hongrois (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
The Unamed Man 4-1 (12-0) T.o 11, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Strong Weld (12-0) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp frm in May.
Tycoon Hall (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Jumped right throughout, chased leader, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Two Miles West (11-6) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gs in Aug.
Vivid Imagination (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 6th, clear approaching 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 9l behind Comanche War Paint (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (D) gd in Apr '05.
Vulcan's Ash 40-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 3rd until 4th, chased leaders until 8th, weakened 10th, 6th of 11, well behind Berengario (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Jul.
Westmere 28-1 (10-8) Behind, mistake 2nd, weakened from 10th, no chance when pulled up 4 out in race won by Millards Lad (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
Wensleydale Web 80-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 11th of 17, 40l behind Lazy Lena (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Left Hand Drive 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 11, 38l behind Garryvoe (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.