in rear, soon progress 11th, weakened 4 out
keen, led 1st, headed next, stayed prominent, hit 9th, ridden 13th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out to take 2nd flat
towards rear, mistaked and lost touch 11th, tired when pulled up after 13th
led 2nd, hit 7 and 8th, hit and weakened when headed 14th, behind when pulled up 2 out
mid-division, headway 13th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
prominent, ridden 13th, hit 14th, soon weakened and behind when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, never a danger, ridden 13th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, went 2nd 13th, led 14th, blundered badly 15th, headed soon after, ridden 3 out, led again 2 out, ridden clear approaching last
mid-division, headway to join leaders 12th, ridden 14th, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat
Keltic Lord,Waterberg and Lord 'n' Master look the three to concentrate on in this competitive handicap and the confident vote is given to Keltic Lord. The selection has won his last two races with plenty in hand and although he is rising in the weights he still looks ahead of the handicapper and under his optimum conditions he is hard to oppose. Waterberg would be a danger to all on his best form as he has dropped to a handy mark and was a fair second behind Kelly last time. However he gave the impression he would be suited by further on that occasion. Lord'n' Master is another worthy of respect as he also won well last time when beating Robber but that for has since been let down badly and for that reason he is overlooked. Dark Room is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type while Moving Earth would not be far away if on a going day. But for the winner we return to Keltic Lord who is in the form of his life at present.
Moving Earth (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 13th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Little Big Horse (11-3) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Jun.
Dark Room (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind Bobsbest (10-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Lord 'n' Master (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Made all, went clear 16th, mistake last, comfortably, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jun beating Robber (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Harry's Dream 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 6th, closer order next, every chance and ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 4l behind Moving Earth (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Lodestar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 11th, reminders and lost place after, 5th of 7, well behind Stack The Pack (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Keltic Lord 11-10fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf beating Multeen Gunner (10-12) by 22l, 14 ran.
Fear Siuil (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leading pair approaching 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Maidstone Monument (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Waterberg (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, reminders 5th, mistake 9th, ridden when hit 5 out, stayed on to chase clear winner from 2 out, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Kelly (11-1) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jun.