pulled up approaching 2nd, dismounted
always prominent, hit 4 out, led on bit approaching last, very easily
soon led, not fluent 4th, headed approaching last, no chance with winner
took keen hold early, held up, outpaced 3 out, hard ridden into modest 3rd when bad mistake last
took keen hold, prominent, no impression after 3 out, weakened after next, demoted to 4th when pulled up before last
Mam Ratagan finally broke his duck here last time but given his previous record he looks opposable today under a penalty and we will take him on with COOTEHILL. The selection is adaptable regarding ground and in fact won a Listed novices' hurdle at Kempton last year on good to firm, which earned him a mark of 133 in that sphere. He will have learned a fair bit for his winning chase debut at Ffos Las last month and should be capable of seeing off this field with a penalty. Walamo is also respected, having won twice, but he may struggle to concede weight to our pick, while stablemate Darksideofthemoon has Richard Johnson up and would be very interesting if backed. Ravenclaw makes his chase debut and does not have lots to find to get competitive if handling this quicker ground.
Walamo (GER) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd 5th, left in lead 11th, pressed when not fluent 2 out, edged left approaching last, stayed on flat, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug beating Rockiteer (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Cootehill (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Chased leader, challenged from 6th, not fluent and led narrowly after 5 out, mistake and headed 4 out, looked held before last until quickened ahead towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug beating Blacktoft (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 2 ran.
Mam Ratagan 4-5fav (11-3) Made all, ridden approaching last, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf beating Rebel Hunter (11-6) by 9l, 4 ran.
Lerubis (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Towards rear, jumped big 3rd, struggling 5th, behind 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Mycenean Prince (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 17 ran.
Mzuri Bay 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, lost place when not fluent 7th, behind 9th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Ben's Folly (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Ravenclaw (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner next, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sophies Trophy (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Darksideofthemoon (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Comehomequietly (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
