led to 11th, weakened after 2 out, 5th and no chance when refused last
raced wide in rear, blundered 7th, lost touch approaching 10th, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
chased leader to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
ran in snatches, no chance when blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, no chance approaching 4 out, tailed off
held up, headway 8th, chased winner when not fluent 4 out, no impression approaching last, lost 2nd post
chased leader from 2nd, led 11th, ridden approaching last, soon in command, stayed on well
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway 13th, mistake 3 out, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on flat to take 2nd post
held up, headway 5th, mistake 9th, stayed 12th, soon ridden, behind from next, went moderate 4th approaching last
BLACK ANSHAN looked a changed horse last time at Southwell and although this is tougher he can still come out on top; the shortlist consists of House Of Bourbon, Scalloway and Tempsford. The selection seems to have appreciated a change in yards; he was pulled up on his final two starts for David Pipe but he dispatched of a poor field at Southwell on his first run for Charlie Mann with no problem. He wore a tongue-tie there for the first time which remains on, and if he continues to improve than this mark of 120 may just be a starting block. Otantique is consistent enough but he now looks to be handicapped up to his best, although he too tries a tongue-tie for the first time in the hope of eliciting some improvement. Scalloway couldn't give Carl Llewellyn a fairy-tale end to his solo training career, but he is one of many horses who have joined his trainer at Nigel Twiston-Davies' and he should appreciate the drop in trip today. House Of Bourbon won a maiden chase at Southwell last time and was well-backed to do so; he will find this tougher but he is unexposed in this sphere and open to more improvement. Tempsford has been an expensive failure for most of his career but he may improve for a recent reappearance run and he cannot be ignored, along with Flashy Sir although he has stamina to prove for this trip. A tricky finale for punters but we will side with Black Anshan.
Scalloway (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 13, pulled up before 16th, tailed off, in a race won by Fire And Rain (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun, 17 ran.
Otantique (FR) 5-1fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, not fluent, pushed along after 8th, headway approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Seymar Lad (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Black Anshan (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Made most, clear 4 out, easily, won at Southwell 3m 2f beg chase (4) gd in May beating Dunkelly Castle (11-0) by 10l, 5 ran.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Made most, 3 lengths clear when blundered and rider lost irons 3 out, recovered and drew clear between last 2, ran on, won at Southwell 3m 2f mdn chs (4) gd beating Snake Rave (10-11) by 9l, 11 ran.
Bronzesmith 25-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 2 out, always behind, 10th of 16, 40l behind Gallik Dawn (10-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Tempsford (USA) 5-2fav (11-4) Held up, headway to chase leaders in 4th when blundered badly 8th, pushed along next, blundered 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind Chorizo (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Alfie's Sun 22-1 (11-4) Always behind, hampered 7th, mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up 13th, in a race won by Ferimon (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Flashy Sir 9-1 (10-9) Not always fluent, held up in last pair, not on terms but progress to go 4th after 9th, stayed on to take 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Keepitsecret (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Marrel 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 12th, 6th of 13, 30l behind Present Gale (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
