held up in rear, not fluent 9th, pushed along after 14th, ridden before 4 out, responded to pressure after 2 out, disputed 2nd approaching last, weakened flat
held up, pushed along 15th, ridden 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off
held up, pulled up after 5th, dismounted
pressed leader, not fluent 12th, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden and close up 2 out, chased winner approaching last, edged right flat, stayed on towards finish
in touch, closed to lead 4 out, ridden approaching last, driven out (no time taken)
jumped slightly right, made most to 4 out, soon driven, weakened after 2 out
With Nigel Twiston-Davies back among the winners Go West has to be strongly considered in this staying handicap chase but more solid claims are held by PRESENT GALE, with Freeline Fury rated the best of the rest. The selection showed decent form in the summer with two wins at Worcester in July and the following month and was going well before falling at Cheltenham on his most recent start earlier this month. Assuming that Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is none the worse for that tumble, he looks the one that they have to beat here. Wenger has shown improved form since joining Shaun Lycett's stable but a 3lb rise for his success at Huntingdon when last seen in May looks a shade harsh and he may be best watched on his reappearance. Paul Murphy's Maidstone Mixture ran better at Wetherby earlier this month but this is tougher, while Colin Tizzard's Skipper's Lad has been running consistently well of late but now seems too high in the weights. Bernard Llewellyn's Freeline Fury relishes this sort of trip and he has to be respected on his reappearance on ground that suits but Present Gale has plenty going for him and he is preferred.
Present Gale (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, fell 9th, in a race won by Mister Apple's (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf, 17 ran.
Wenger (FR) 10-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place 7th, headway approaching 11th, led 3 out, ridden when edged left flat, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May '08 beating Toni Alcala (10-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Freeline Fury 7-1 (10-1) Prominent, chased leader after 10th until next, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, 12l behind Giovanna (11-5) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Dune Raider (USA) 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, mistake 12th, struggling when mistake 14th, 10th of 17, 49l behind Mister Apple's (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Go West (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, ridden after 4 out, no extra last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Skipper's Lad (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 17-2 (9-11) Mid-division, mistake 5th, headway approaching 8th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders approaching last, 4th of 17, 12l behind Mister Apple's (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Marleybow (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (5) gf.
