always towards rear
chased leaders, led 4th, soon headed, mistake 5th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
tracked leader, took keen hold, led 3rd until 4th, soon led again, headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
took keen hold, led until jumped slowly 3rd, mistake next, stayed upsides until weakened approaching 6th where mistake
held up in rear, pecked 3rd, behind 5th, went modest 4th approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, ridden before 6th, effort 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out
held up in touch, hit 1st, 2nd when hit 3 out, led before 2 out, headed last, unable to quicken flat
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led last, ridden out
SWISS ART has some of the best form on offer in this contest and hails from a yard in peak form so looks the call in a race that appears to lack depth. Guga would be greatly feared if attracting support as the jockey booking of Denis O'Regan takes the eye for a respected yard but the gelding didn't do an awful lot on his one run over hurdles, albeit in a much stronger race. He has, however, been in decent form on the level and merits consideration. Mystic Touch ran well enough at this track on his hurdling bow but struggled having made a mistake at Uttoxeter; he may prove capable of better if producing a clear round. Swiss Art looks the pick on his Market Rasen third where he just struggled to see out the trip; this sharp track may play to his strengths with the addition of cheekpieces also likely to assist and it's hard to imagine that he'll face many better opportunities.
Fluters House 200-1 (10-9) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind Carrolls Cross (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
London Times (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden before 6th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Devito (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 17 ran.
Tigh Bhruadair (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Never better than mid-division, 15th of 30, 32l behind Mr Duffy (11-11) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gf in Sep.
Duke of Normandy (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Raced keen, led until mistake 2nd, saddle soon slipped, pulled up after 3rd, in a race won by Tillietudlem (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
Guga (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden 3 out, no impression, 13th of 15, well behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Mystic Touch 4-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, shaken up approaching 3 out, ridden before next, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 28l behind Rio Gael (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Swiss Art (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon pressing winner, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Dreamwalk (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Douchkette (FR) 9-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway on inside after 5th, not clear run and lost place approaching 3 out, progress 2 out, no extra flat, 7th of 12, 14l behind High Skies (10-5) at Worcester 2m sell hdl (5) gf in Jun.
