went prominent 4th, led 6th to 8th, led 11th, headed 4 out, still every chance between last 2, 3 lengths 2nd and held when mistake and unseated rider last
prominent, raced keenly, mistake 7th, blundered badly 9th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, not fluent 3rd, reminders after next, in touch 7th, hit 9th, losing touch from 11th, mistake 12th, soon behind, left poor 4th last
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, led after 2 out, jumped right last, ridden clear flat
not fluent, in rear, detached 6th, pulled up before 7th
chased leader to 5th, outpaced when mistake 4 out, beaten after, weakened after 2 out
led to 7th, led 8th to 11th, led 4 out, headed after 2 out, held in 3rd when mistake and left 2nd last
Nonrunner
If Sleep Bal can rediscover his best after over 1400 days off then he could really make a mockery of this field but after such a long lay off and we'll go for course and distance winner BACK NINE while Rydal Park and Inaro are also considered. The pick has a good record in hunter chases this season and was considered good enough for a crack at the Foxhunter's at Cheltenham though that proved to be folly. He's two out of two at this track both have come this season and the latest was last time out over distance; he also loves the ground on the quick side. Sleep Bal is rated at a smart looking 134 and before he pulled up in the 2005 Jewson Novices' Chase he was looking impressive that season and has some useful form behind Kauto Star in the Gold Cup winner's early UK career. Alarm Bells have to be rung about the length of his absence and that he reappears at this level but if he has retained any ability he can go well in this company. Rydal Park fell last time in the race that Back Nine won but has shown enough in these races in the past to suggest a success. Inaro was a course and distance winner on his first visit here last time and should challenge on his hunter chase debut. You could make a case for one or two of the others but barring a resurgence to form of Sleep Bal Back Nine looks the pick.
Back Nine (IRE) 11-4 (11-13) Always prominent, chased leader from 2nd, led 9th, headed 11th, ridden from 12th, mistake last, left in lead when leader jinked flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Caveman (11-5) by 4l, 10 ran.
Inaro (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 6th and 8th, headway approaching 2 out, ridden out to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun beating Blaze Ahead (10-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rydal Park (IRE) 6-4fav (12-1) Held up in rear, 7th when fell 10th, in a race won by Back Nine (11-13) at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Armoury House 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, mistake 3 out and lost 2nd, soon ridden, beaten before last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 14l behind Back Nine (11-13) at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Classic Shot (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) (cp) prom til wknd 3 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Just Talking (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp in Mar.
Newbay Bob 11-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden 4 out, one pace and held from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Mr Ed (11-7) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Sleep Bal (FR) 2-1 (12-0) Led til fell 15, in a race won by Menchikov (12-7) at Garthorpe 3m ptp in Mar, 3 ran.
Good Man Again (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden and struggling 11th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Twenty Degrees (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) fm.
Missy Moscow (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Prominent, led after 11th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 15, well behind Blunham Hill (10-5) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd in Oct.
