in touch, mistake 7th, fell 8th
led to 9th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
always towards rear, pulled before 4 out
prominent, led 9th, quickened clear on bit after 4 out, wandered approaching 3 out and 2 out, comfortably
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 9th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, 3rd and ridden and unseated rider 4 out
held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out
soon behind and jumped left throughout, pulled up after 7th
held up mid-division, ridden and lost touch 9th, rallied and ran on 3 out, went 2nd 2 out
towards rear, blundered 2nd and 9th, pulled up 4 out
towards rear and jumped left throughout, soon well behind, rallied and stayed on to go 3rd after last
Despite having to shoulder topweight, we will side with Knight's Emperor to win this very moderate contest, with Sammagefromtenesse and Master Henry likely to be involved. Knight's Emperor has dropped back to 1lb higher than his last win, which came on fast ground at Newton Abbot in August. He is prone to the odd blunder, but the form of his recent run behind Welsh Main looks good enough in the context of this race and we take him to score. Sammagefromtenesse doesn't often give the judge a great deal to do, winning once in his career. However, this plodder ran as well as he has for some time when seen out at Plumpton in March, and provided the break has been in his favour, he could make the frame again. The veteran Master Henry is another in with a shout. He has plummeted in the weights and is now back on a winning mark, so if he handles this sharp track on his first run here he could give the selection most to do. But Knight's Emperor looks a solid and is our idea of the winner.
Knight's Emperor (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Behind, blundered badly 3rd, in rear until headway 4 out, stayed on flat to be nearest at finish, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Welsh Main (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
Master Henry (GER) 8-1 (10-4) Led to 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Nick The Jewel (11-8) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Faddad (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden from 6th, last of 9, 26l behind Tushna (10-7) at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (F) gd.
Charliemoore 16-1 (11-10) Led narrowly, mistake 9th, headed when bumped 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Mystical Star (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd.
Simon's Seat (USA) 66-1 (10-13) Soon driven along, reminders after 4th, lost touch from next, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Chilling Place (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (D) gs.
Sammagefromtenesse (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up well in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on flat, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Reach The Clouds (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) gd in Mar.
Pristeen Spy 11-2 (9-9) Led until blundered 13th, not recover, 5th of 6, 22l behind Waynesworld (10-5) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Mollycarrsbrekfast 15-2 (10-13) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed after 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 25l behind Glacial Delight (11-12) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) frm.