held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 2 out, never in contention
held up towards rear, never on terms
in touch, lost place 6th, soon struggling
in touch, ridden after 6th, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outside when not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on final furlong, not a danger
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden after 2 out, hanging left before last, one pace final 2f
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, going well in behind leaders after 2 out, ridden after last, soon weakened
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
chased leader, not fluent 5th, not fluent last, soon challenging, led over 1f out, eased near finish
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 2 out, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on from over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, took 3rd last strides
led, soon clear, reduced advantage before 5th, headed over 1f out, one pace
held up in rear, always behind
Willies Way has shown improved form for Andy Haynes of late having won races at Bangor, Southwell and Newton Abbot in three of his last four starts but another 5lb rise for that latest success may prevent him from winning again and preference is for POTTS OF MAGIC, who gets the vote over Orchard King. Alison Thorpe's gelding only just did enough when winning at Huntingdon last time and a 7lb penalty for that success makes this tougher for the eight-year-old who may struggle to follow up. Oliver McKiernan's Il En Reve ran better over fences at Cartmel last time and has to be considered back over hurdles. Newman Des Plages represents the in-form yard of Martin Todhunter and has been running creditably of late so has to be considered, while Amazing Valour showed signs of a return to form at Huntingdon last time and he cannot be discounted racing off a 1lb lower mark today. Preference though is for Richard Lee's Potts of Magic, who was in good form over fences when last seen in May, is well treated back over hurdles and has a good record when fresh so he may be worth chancing.
Willies Way 3-1fav (12-0) Held up in rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug beating Dovedale (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Il En Reve (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up, chased leaders approaching 11th, chased winner from 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Chabrimal Minster (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp ch 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Mylo 8-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 13, 26l behind Orion Express (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Potts of Magic 11-4fav (10-4) In touch, not fluent 9th, pushed along and lost place after 15th, weakened 18th,, 5th of 7, 30l behind Prestbury Knight (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Newman Des Plages (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, headway to track leader 7th, blundered and lost place 4 out, kept on one pace from next, 5th of 13, 15l behind Orion Express (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Orchard King (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear on outside, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, clear when not fluent last, all out near finish, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug beating Amazing Valour (11-8) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Tarkani (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up behind, headway approaching 2 out on inner, every chance last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Mith Hill (10-8) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Home (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
Peters Star (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd and after 6th, weakened 10th, 8th of 12, 24l behind Super Ross (10-7) at Southwell 3m 2f clm hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Towards rear, pushed along after 7th, headway next, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on well, not quite reached winner, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Orchard King (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Iris's Flyer 28-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, every chance after 3 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Willies Way (11-10) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jul.
Lansdowne Princess 25-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, close up 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Willies Way (12-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
