tracked front pair, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, no chance with easy winner between last 2, plugged on same pace
held up in 4th, struggling 3 out, weakened from next, tailed off
made all, drew clear between last 2, unchallenged after, very easily
held up behind, disputed 4th before 5th, went 3rd after 2 out, kept on from last, never nearer
tracked winner, reminders after 2nd, lost place 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
held up, always in rear, struggling after 4 out, soon tailed off
A Grade 2 winner as a novice, Ordo Ab Chao has fallen a long way but is no certainty to rediscover his ability even at this level, and COOL MACAVITY (NAP) could be a better option. He was pulled up on his last hurdle run for Nicky Henderson, but was a handicap winner as recently as last October, will appreciate underfoot conditions and looks well in at the weights. Verygoodverygood hasn’t won since 2016 and probably needs softer going, while Ink Master is more effective over fences.
Cool Macavity (IRE) 9-4 (9-8) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6 3/4l behind Viewpoint (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (6) gf in Jun.
Ordo Ab Chao (IRE) 11-10 (11-2) Led 2nd, headed before 3rd, soon led again, headed 5th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, beaten when not fluent last, last of 2, 6l behind Our Three Sons (11-2) at Towcester 2m (4) gf in May.
Ink Master (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Ifandbutwhynot (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
King Alfonso 14-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 12, 17 3/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (12-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Verygoodverygood (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place and pushed along before 6th, not fluent next, well beaten 3 out, last of 9, 32 1/4l behind Ready And Able (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Keppel Isle (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, headed briefly 6th, headed next, ridden and lost 2nd soon after, dropped to last 3 out, went poor 3rd before next, 3rd of 5, dist behind Dalaman (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
