held up and keen, headway to track leader from 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra
clear from 2nd, hit 6th, weakening when headed after 8th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened 7th
in touch and keen, hit 6th, headway 8th to chase leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, went 3rd halfway, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on strongly
in rear, ridden and lost touch 6th, badly hampered 8th and pulled up before next
in touch, ridden from 7th, kept on
mid-division, lost touch from 7th, fell next
held up, lost touch 7th, no danger after
chased leader until 8th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
Mr Mischief is the one to be on, with Potts of Magic and Explosive Fox seen as the main dangers. Mr Mischief has won three of his five outings over timber this term and been placed in the other two. In addition he was unfortunate to finish second on each of his three outings on the level this summer, so despite the fact that he has a penalty to hump around, it is hard to escape the claims of Pat Haslam's five-year-old with Tony McCoy once again doing the steering. He has yet to win over three miles, but the way that he stayed on at Sedgefield suggests that stamina is not going to be an issue. Potts of Magic finally got his head in front at Worcester last month and there may be more to come, but he lacks the winning mentality of the selection, while Explosive Fox has plenty of weight for a four-year-old. The remainder all look opposable, and the scene appears set for Mr Mischief to gain another course win.
Mr Mischief 6-5fav (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 7th, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept beating Litron (11-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Led, pushed along 8th, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 34l behind Miss Merenda (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Albert House (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) With winner until 11th, pecked 3 out, chased winner 2 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Redskin Raider (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (D) gf in Oct '04.
Ballyfitz 4th of 10, 19l behind Kranji at Meath 3m ire ptp gd in Apr '04.
Montemoss (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Soon well behind, tailed off, 13th of 22, well behind Native Emperor (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m nov amt chs (B) gd in Mar '04.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Prominent in chasing group, hit 7th, weakened 10th, 5th of 10, 29l behind Bdellium (10-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Mar.
Chapel Bay 7-1 (10-4) Led 3f, prominent until weakened over 4f out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Sun Pageant (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf.
Potts of Magic 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, led last, driven out, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Sept beating Aston (11-7) by 2l, 15 ran.