held up in last, went 4th after 10th, not fluent 14th, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
held up, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, strugglung 12th, behind next, tailed off
held up, headway 8th, ridden after 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
made all, swished tail and given one reminder flat, stayed on well
prominent, lost place before 9th, last next, behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
always prominent, not fluent 10th, reminder approaching 12th, driven before 4 out, 1 1/2 length down last, stayed on same pace
This trip stretches the stamina of the unreliable The Duke's Speech, while House Of Bourbon has a poor strike rate over fences. Montana Gold has won two of his last three starts, however, though it is a bit disconcerting that he was dropped into a seller over hurdles last time. Gem Mill keeps plugging away but is basically in the handicapper's grip now and finished behind Inishrush at Worcester in July. PAPRADON has been called some names in the past and still has his off-days but he seems suited by this longer trip now and is fancied to add to August's win at Worcester.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not always fluent, in touch 6th, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, last of 5, well behind Golden Dream (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leader until 4th and again from 6th, led approaching 11th, outjumped and headed at fence, ridden after 13th, weakened from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Lost Glory (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Papradon 5-2fav (11-9) Held up, not fluent 4th or 5th, went 3rd after 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Aug beating Marked Man (11-9) by 4l, 6 ran.
Inishrush (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Led, not always fluent, headed last, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Cash Back (11-7) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Grenoli (FR) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led after 3rd to 7th, led again 10th to 12th, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Our Jim (10-13) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Gem Mill (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Led, reminders and headed approaching 11th, good jump to regain lead at fence, headed 13th, driven to lead again when hit 4 out and saddle slipped, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Lost Glory (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Montana Gold (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Made all, clear halfway, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep beating Iris's Flyer (11-6) by 22l, 9 ran.
