held up in 5th, jumped right at times, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, challenged before last, led flat, driven out
led or close 2nd, mistake 4 out, headed narrowly when mistake last, 3rd and no extra towards finish
chased leaders, raced keenly, led before mistake last, headed flat, held towards finish
led or close 2nd, backed off some off the fences, beaten from 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, mistake next, headway on outside before 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, faded before last
NonRunner
ROYAL RUBY, a bumper and hurdles winner, returned from a lengthy absence to make an impressive winning debut over the larger obstacles here last month and will be fancied to defy a 11lb rise. Goa Lil would have made a winning start over fences at Ludlow last season had he not fallen at the last but that seems to have affected his confidence and Umndeni unseated his rider on his chasing bow, though won well over hurdles at Newton Abbot on Saturday. Fat Sam beat a subsequent winner here last month while Cape Robin won at Worcester in June and neither are ruled out.
Goa Lil (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Jumped right, led until 1st, chased leader until after 3 out, 3rd and held from next, one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Eyeofthescorpion (11-10) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Royal Ruby 4-1 (11-12) Made all, mistake 6th and rider lost iron briefly, not fluent 2 out, drew well clear before last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Babytaggle (10-0) by 23l, 7 ran.
Fat Sam 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, headway going well over 2 out, led before last, ridden out and in full control flat, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Admiral's Sunset (10-0) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Don't Ask (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Prominent until 1st, chased leaders, mistake and lost place 4 out, soon well beaten, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Cape Robin (IRE) 5-1 (12-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, challenged 9th, led before 4 out, clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Tanrudy (11-4) by 9 1/2l, 8 ran.
Grageelagh Girl (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Waited with in 3rd, went close 2nd 16th, challenged next, pushed along and unable to quicken before 2 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 3, 2l behind Achy Breaky Heart (10-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Umndeni (FR) 15-2 (10-5) Held up in 5th, left tracking leaders 6th, 3rd when went left 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Litterale Ci (11-2) by 10l, 7 ran.
