led, hit 9th, hard driven 3 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, driven 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, took closer order 3 out, ridden after next, every chance last and throughout run in, just failed
with leader, driven to lead approaching last, strongly challenged throughout run in, held on gamely
chased leaders, driven in 3rd approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, weakened 9th, mistake next, tailed off 3 out
Dreamsoftheatre is very hard to predict but probably due a good run and has won off a higher mark than this in the past. Gamain is a sound stayer but his absence since winning over fences at Wincanton in February is a slight concern. Flying Verse has won two of his last three but both at Southwell and his record elsewhere leaves much to be desired. Irish Thistle hasn’t run over hurdles since 2013 and Bassarabad and GUERRILLA TACTICS (NAP) have also been chasing but the latter was successful over this trip the last time he ran over the smaller obstacles a year ago and he can display his liking for left-handed tracks here.
Bassarabad (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Reminder leaving start, prominent 2nd, led before 3rd, headed approaching 5th, lost place after 7th, not fluent 12th, behind next, plugged on from 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Aunty Ann (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Gamain (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Took keen hold, held up, not fluent 1st, closed 5th, went 2nd after 12th, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating General Girling (10-5) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Dreamsoftheatre (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) In rear and never on terms, mistake 3rd, outpaced and struggling 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Guerrilla Tactics (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place from 5th, headway 7 out, chased winner before 5 out, kept on and held near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Call Me Vic (11-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Flying Verse 6-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, every chance 2 out, led approaching and mistake last, kept on well, won at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Beautiful People (10-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 33l behind Eric The Third (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
