not much fluency, not fluent 2nd, struggling 4 out, 5th and no chance when pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, hanging left and 3 lengths down in 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon beaten, hit last
chased leading pair, close 3rd when fell 9th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
led, clear 12th, hung left and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up and behind, mistake 6th, losing touch when mistake 9th, hampered by loose horse 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
in touch, hampered 9th, ridden after 14th, weakened 4 out, hit 3 out
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, went left last, ran on well
Kivotos gets the confidnt vote here with Steppes of Gold and Lord Jay Jay rating the main dangers. The selection won with a little in hand last time out when beating Burren Moonshine and although having a penalty for that win he again has cionditions to suit and he will be hard to beat. Steppes Of Gold rates the main danger on his latest third behind Standin Obligation but all his best formm is over a shorter trip and for that reason he is opposed. Lord Jay Jay is another that could go well on his latest second behind Alrafid but he has had plenty of chances and is becomming expensive to follow. Stoneyford Ben is another worthy of respect on his best form but he has yet to prove he stays this far and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Kivitos.
Kivotos (USA) 15-8 (11-6) In touch, hit 5 out, led after next, clear approaching 3 out, driven out, won at Southwell 3m nov chs (4) gd in Aug beating Burren Moonshine (10-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Steppes of Gold (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner 5 out, effort next, outpaced when hit 3 out, weakened and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Standin Obligation (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Stoneyford Ben (IRE) 5-2fav (12-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden last, kept on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Copplestone (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Gobavina (IRE) (12-0) 5th of 13, 46l behind Roussea (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ptp gs in May '05.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led at good pace, hit 3rd, ridden and narrowly headed 3 out, led again before next, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Alrafid (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Aug.
Munny Hill 33-1 (9-7) Led to 6th, led again 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 17l behind New Time (11-1) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Oct.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, pecked 5th, chased leading pair from 11th, kept on flat, never nearer, 3rd of 7, 31l behind Yes Sir (11-8) at N Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Aug.
Openide 12-1 (10-10) Led to 4th, chased leader until ridden after 6th, headway approaching 2 out, ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Rushneeyriver (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Aug.
