tracked leader until not fluent 11th, weakened before 4 out
held up, outpaced before 11th, soon behind
led, hit 6th, not fluent 8th, mistake 3 out, headed before next, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
held up in touch, closed 9th, went 2nd 11th, led before 2 out, soon clear, comfortably
tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, ridden before 4 out, soon one pace and beaten, weakened before 2 out
Nonrunner
River Purple runs his best races over this course and distance but has never won off a mark this high. According To Sarah was only beaten a nose at Bangor last month but has been raised 5lb since and had earlier finished 15 lengths behind LADFROMHIGHWORTH (NAP) at Worcester. The latter's subsequent victory at Southwell was franked when runner-up Tregaro won at the same track last week and Jeremy Scott's charge is the one to beat in this. Jayo Time should be winning again winning soon but Sureness has struggled over fences so far.
Ladfromhighworth 11-4fav (11-6) Left in lead 2nd, made rest, mistake 7th, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, soon ridden and stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Tregaro (10-7) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
River Purple 8-1 (11-12) Chased leading pair, 2nd briefly 9th, blundered 11th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Ladfromhighworth (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Valadom (FR) 12-1 (10-10) at Pau 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
Jayo Time (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) In touch on inside, went 3rd 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair before last, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Big Generator (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f (5) gd in Aug.
According To Sarah (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led 5th, headed next, mistake 7th, led again 10th, hard driven approaching last, strongly challenged closing stages, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Strobe (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Sureness (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, jumped right 8th, outpaced 5 out, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Aug.