tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, blundered 3 out, kept on from last
prominent, pushed along 4 out, mistake 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead close home
behind, pushed along after 5th, unseated rider next
mid-division and keen, headway before 9th to chase leaders, son weakened, pulled up
close up, led last, kept on and headed close home
behind, mistake 11th, weakened from 13th
tracked leaders, lost place halfway
towards rear, weakened from 13th
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, fell last
SAIL AND RETURN (NAP) has won three times around here over hurdles and can now record a first success over the larger obstacles at the track. He dotted up under a big weight at Southwell two weeks ago and the extra yardage will suit - Conor Shoemark's claim helps offset a 7lb higher mark. Owen Glendower and Ray Diamond are other course winners entitled to respect while Lord Grantham and Cruchain have the ability to figure in a race like this but Balinroab and According To Sarah are reappearing following a break.
Lord Grantham (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders after 5 out, never on terms, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 35l behind Belmount (11-0) at Ludlow 3m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Owen Glendower (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair before next, went 2nd and every chance last, kept on, held flat, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Saddlers Deal (9-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Sail And Return 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, ridden clear before last, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Teddy's Reflection (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Silent Knight (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, jumped right 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Premier Portrait (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Cruchain (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led before 4 out, headed last, no extra before home bend, 4th of 11, 22l behind Alderbrook Lad (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Balinroab (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) In touch on outside, not fluent 4th, ridden after 4 out, no chance with front pair next, lost moderate 3rd and weakened after last, tailed off, 5th of 7, 45l behind Old Pals Act (11-6) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Thepartysover 16-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, headway into 4th after 3 out, disputing modest 2nd from 2 out, just lost out in battle for well held 2nd, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Brass Monkey (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Ray Diamond 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until ridden 10th, dropped to rear 4 out, kept on to go 3rd at last, 3rd of 5, 12l behind The Happy Warrior (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in May.
According To Sarah (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 6th, not fluent next, mistake 11th, soon ridden and lost place, behind when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Pressies Girl (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f mares nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again before 5th, headed after 6th, weakened from 3 out, pulled up, 6th of 11, 14l behind No No Cardinal (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.