held up in 4th, not fluent 7th, mistake 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden from next, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
made all, not fluent last, driven out, unchallenged
tracked winner until 9th, weakened 3 out
held up in 5th, not fluent 1st, last from 10th, behind 12th, pulled up before next
held up in last, headway 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, went 2nd from 9th until after 3 out, pecked next, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Former pointer JOE THE ROGUE bolted up over a longer trip at Fontwell when tackling good to soft ground for the first time under Rules. It's doubtful a penalty will halt his progress here. The danger may be Font, who won over track and trip last month but is conceding 16lb to the selection. Favoured Nation took a crashing fall when favourite at Ffos Las and is probably best watched on this occasion while Al Alfa is making his reappearance following a lay-off. Watch House won very easily under Ally Stirling at Worcester and can race off the same mark. But this is a stronger race and Newton Abbot third The Goldmeister lacks experience. Epee Celeste will like the ground but usually comes up short in this grade.
Academy General (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, not fluent 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 6, 47l behind Jimbill (11-6) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf.
Al Alfa 7-4fav (11-9) Prominent, led 2nd, kept on well from 3 out until headed and not pace of winner going to last, stayed on well for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Whispering Jack (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Epee Celeste (FR) 8-1 (10-2) Close up, led 4th, headed before 7th, lost 2nd before 6 out, went 2nd before last, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 20l behind Ballybough Gorta (11-9) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Tiquer (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Always in rear, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Balbriggan (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Joe The Rogue (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) In touch, went 2nd from 14th, closed on leader 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Golden Squirell (10-9) by 19l, 5 ran.
Dark Oasis 18-1 (10-0) Held up, pecked 8th, behind next, never in contention, left modest 4th last, 4th of 9, 25l behind Brimham Boy (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Font 15-8 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th until not fluent 4 out, went 2nd again 3 out, led last, wandered flat, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug beating Qaspal (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Favoured Nation (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Held up in rear of quintet, headway 5 out, challenging when fell next, in a race won by Fairwood Massini (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug, 5 ran.
Old Dreams (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, stumbled badly on flat after 5 out, soon in rear, tailed off, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Cannon Fodder (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 8 ran.
The Goldmeister (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Five Out Of Five (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gf in Jul.
Watch House (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3rd, left 2nd 8th, led 11th, clear 2 out, not fluent last, pushed out, won at Worcester 2m 7f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd beating Sadler's Star (11-12) by 22l, 12 ran.
