led to 8th, led again after 9th, hit 5 out, kept on well from 3 out, readily
tracked winner until 3rd, blundered 5 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 3rd, led 8th, headed after 9th, reminders before 6 out, kept on same pace and no chance with winner
held up in rear, struggling before 7 out, fell 6 out
held up towards rear, unseated rider 10th
held up in touch, weakened from 3 out
Copperfacejack finally got his head in front at Towcester last month but doesn't appeal as the type to follow up off an 8lb higher mark over a longer trip. He was also outstayed by CHARLIE MON at Huntingdon in May on better terms so Mike Hammond's charge looks the one to be on. Clay Allison didn't show any improvement for a switch of stables at Huntingdon but may do better now tackling fences. Culm Counsellor has won over this trip at Newton Abbot and Stratford this year but needs forgiving a more recent run at Wincanton.
Copperfacejack (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Made all, hit 1st, not fluent 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden clear from last, won at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gf in Oct beating Dontminddboys (11-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Limoncello (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tired when jumped left 3 out, lost remote 4th last, 5th of 15, dist behind Eddy (10-7) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Charlie Mon (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Made all, jumped right 2nd, ridden before 3 out, held on gamely, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Quick N' Easy (11-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
That's Gonna Sting (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, ridden and headway after 4 out, no impression before next, 7th of 12, 26 3/4l behind Tactical Manoeuvre (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Clay Allison (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, never on terms after, 6th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Cosmic Diamond (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Culm Counsellor 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, struggling in 4th when mistake 16th, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.