tracked leaders, challenged 11th, soon led, hit 14th, headed approaching 2 out, soon led again, stayed on gamely
held up, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent and reminder 7th, hit 9th, mistake next, struggling when mistake 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
hit 1st, led next, headed 7th, led again next, headed after 9th, led again 10th, hit next, soon headed, close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 13th
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, challenged 11th until ridden next, weakened 3 out
led until 2nd, led after 10th until next, mistake 11th, soon ridden, led again before 2 out, soon headed and not fluent at fence, stayed on same pace
mistakes, prominent on outside, led 7th, headed next, struggling when hampered by loose horse and mistake 14th, soon weakened, almost ran out 2 out, tailed off
It says plenty about this that 15-year-old Marked Man is a leading contender, despite conceding weight all round. Richard Lee's veteran races off the same mark as when runner-up at Uttoxeter in August in a race in which Ballygulleen was an early casualty, but may have to give best to OVERTON LAD. A C&D winner ahead of Von Galen last year, Peter Pritchard's charge seems to go well fresh so a recent break is probably in his favour. Keltic Lord appears to have lost his way and looks held by a couple of these on the form book in any case.
Marked Man (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed 11th, led next, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Papradon (11-9) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Aug.
Ballygulleen (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd and 3rd, mistake 13th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Orion Star (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Sep.
Keltic Lord 10-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 5th, mistake 10th (water), outpaced from 12th, 7th of 9, 35l behind I'm The Decider (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Von Galen (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, left 3rd at 8th, lost place 12th, soon struggling, tailed off, 7th of 9, 28l behind Or Sing About (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
Overton Lad 16-1 (11-5) Towards rear and pushed along, reminders 8th, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 50l behind Inishrush (10-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Jul.
Photogenique (FR) 33-1 (9-11) Led, jumped right, headed 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 6, 35l behind Cash Back (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
