led 2nd, soon headed, pressed leader, led narrowly and rider dropped whip 3 out, hung left after 2 out, all out
chased leaders, niggled along before 4th, outpaced 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
made most until 3 out, carried left after 2 out, not fluent last, held flat, stayed on towards finish
held up, behind from 8th, well tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
held up, hit 5th, went modest 3rd before 4 out until 3 out, no chance
held up in rear, went modest 3rd 3 out, no chance with front pair
Longhouse Sale has been impressive in his two runs to date over fences, including one here, and should handle the longer trip as he has won between the flags. But he won’t find it easy giving 6lb to THE BUTCHER SAID, who is built to jump fences and was impressive at Southwell despite having only one serious rival. Ballyhome has recorded a first and a second at Market Rasen and hasn’t done much wrong while Winter Getaway has won two point-to-points and two hurdles and should make a chaser. Captain Tommy may need more time, however.
Longhouse Sale (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 4 out, clear from 3 out, very easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gd in Aug beating Pacify (11-2) by 12l, 5 ran.
Ballyhome (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway tracking leaders when hit 6th, led before 2 out, joined last, headed and no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
The Butcher Said (IRE) 4-11fav (11-0) Led, a slight blunder when attempting a huge leap at the 3rd, jumped well thereafter, well clear entering the home straight, sauntered home, won at Southwell 3m (3) gd in Aug beating Minella Warrior (11-0) by 12l, 0 ran.
Alburn 10-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd app 2 out, 5th of 6, 25 1/2l behind First Class Ticket (12-0) at Garthorpe 3m in Jun.
Captain Tommy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, headway 11th, no impression when mistake 3 out, weakened, 5th of 9, 31 1/2l behind Coole Cody (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Aug.
Winter Getaway (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Legends Gold (12-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.