led from 1st to 3rd, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out
prominent, with leader after 2 out, ridden approaching last, not quicken
held up, ridden 7th, soon weakened
mid-division, led on bit after 2 out, shaken up to go clear approaching last, eased flat
prominent, chased leader after 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 8th
towards rear, outpaced, behind 6th, kept on same pace from 2 out
led to 1st, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, saddled slipped, pulled up before 4th
led 3rd, ridden, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
jumped slowly first, soon well behind, ridden, lost place after 2 out, ran on well approaching last, went 4th close home, nearest finish
Middleham Park showed improved form when collared close home by He's A Leader at Wincanton last week and is taken to gain compensation here at the main expense of Tonic du Charmil and Noble Calling. The last mentioned has shown gradual improvement with each start this term and has to be respected but looks booked for a place at best again. Devito was a winner over course and distance but disappointed back here on his only subsequent outing. Damarisco may need the run first time out, while Freedom Now needs to improve on recent evidence to trouble the judge. Titian Flame has an absence to overcome and of more interest may be Tonic du Charmil. A winner over fences at Fontwell earlier this month it will be interesting to see what he does back over the smaller obstacles today but Martin Pipe's gelding would not appear to be particularly well treated back over timber. This trip and ground should be ideal for Middleham Park, who is taken to make amends for last week's narrow defeat.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Made all, hit 8th and 9th, reminders, kept on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft beating Master T (10-9) by 6l, 5 ran.
Candarli (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Held up, lost touch 5th, soon behind, last of 7, well behind Mexican Pete (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd in Oct.
Middleham Park (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led on bit after 3 out, went right next, ridden qnd headed when hit last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 5l behind He's A Leader (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Devito (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and headway to chase leader 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 16, 14l behind Meadow Hawk (9-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Freedom Now (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 11l behind Meadow Hawk (9-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Noble Calling (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Chased winner, hit 5th, lost 2nd approaching last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Dancinginthestreet (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (G) gs.
Damarisco (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) In touch, led approaching 4 out, blundered and headed 3 out, ridden and weakened, 9th of 18, well behind Miss Lehman (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May.
Titian Flame (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up, headway when fell 5 out in race won by Herne Bay (11-13) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jul, 15 ran.
Adecco (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 11, well behind Ireland's Eye (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May '03.
Ashgan (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Behind, slowly jump and lost touch 6th, soon tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Sunday Habits (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) hvy.
