held up, in rear, not fluent 4th, hit 8th, headway approaching 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear after 2 out, stayed on well, easily
led, headed after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, on inside, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, on outside, not fluent 4 out, pressing for 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner, 3rd and one pace last
held up, closed 3rd, blundered and unseated rider next
held up, in rear, shaken up after 3 out, no impression, well beaten from next
No Likey has won twice here over slightly shorter trips but has something to find with Roman Flight on their run together here in August. David Dennis' charge also likes it here while Mont Royale followed up a third here in August with a win at Worcester, though a 7lb rise for that success looks harsh. Top Cat Henry may well have won at Fontwell on his reappearance had he not been brought down two out but MOUNTAIN KING should have the class to defy top weight. He boasts a good strike-rate and won a shade cosily at Perth last month on only his second start for Gordon Elliott.
Mountain King 6-5fav (11-11) Held up, 3rd from 7th, 2nd after 4 out, led and edged right flat, stayed on, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Tangolan (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Roman Flight (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from 4 out, 9th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Vintage Vinnie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
No Buts 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 30 1/4l behind Ready Token (11-3) at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Mont Royale 3-1fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, 2nd 3 out, challenged last, led flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Gowanauthat (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader until not fluent 3rd, still close 3rd when badly hampered and brought down 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
No Likey (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 3rd, led before 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Gabrial The Great (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
What A Laugh 10-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, no extra and lost 2 places flat, 4th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Cut The Corner (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
