tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, challenged 4 out, ridden and hung left before next, weakened soon after
pressed leader who set strong pace, led approaching 6th, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied last, weakened run-in
never going or jumped with any fluency in rear, jumped slowly 1st, reminders and lost touch after 8th, jumped slowly next, tailed off throughout
led and set strong pace but pressed, headed approaching 6th, chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied out wide last, stayed on run-in, went 2nd towards finish, not quite pace to challenge
off the pace in last pair, headway 9th, chased leaders before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out ridden and one pace run-in, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders until lost place and struggling in last pair approaching 10th, tailed off
raced keenly, held up in 5th, closer closer in 4th approaching 4th, lost place when mistake 8th, rallied between horses 3 out, led next, driven and stayed on gamely run-in
NonRunner
Canelo is looking a light of former days but none of the others are ruled out in a tricky handicap. Judge Earle, twice a winner here this season, has been filling his boots in lesser company but may not have the scope to defy a penalty. Shetland Bus is now 0-11 over fences and Quartz Du Rheu has disappointed the last twice, as has The Golden Rebel, though Jonjo O’Neill’s runner has slipped to an attractive mark. Already a winner between the flags, KINONDO KWETU (NAP) duly got off the mark over fences at the first attempt at Market Rasen and a 5lb rise may be underestimating his potential as he is getting 18lb from the five-year-old Red Happy.
Red Happy (FR) 11-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led 6th, headed 8th, every chance flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Moon King (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
The Golden Rebel (IRE) 3-1jfav (12-0) Prominent, not fluent 5th, bad mistake 10th, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on, 3rd of 6, 29 1/2l behind Northern Bound (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Quartz Du Rheu (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Waited with in rear, awkward at 4th, jumped slowly and pushed along after 7th, driven along in poor 5th on long run before 4 out, left remote 4th next, went modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, dist behind Topofthecotswolds (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Judge Earle (IRE) 11-10fav (12-5) Made virtually all, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Midnight Glance (11-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Shetland Bus (GER) 17-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 4, 6 1/4l behind Aviewtosea (10-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Canelo (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until not fluent 7th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Premier D'troice (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Kinondo Kwetu 9-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, mistake 5 out, headway going easily before 3 out, disputed lead before last, led and kept on run in, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Kauto D'Amour (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 5th, not fluent 11th, mistake 13th, well beaten 4 out, 4th of 5, 37 1/4l behind The Vollan (10-3) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
