always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway on inner before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well
tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along before 6th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, never dangerous
led, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, kept on
Nonrunner
Plenty of guesswork needed as most of the principals are returning from a layoff. HURRABORU gets the token vote as his win at Perth in July looks the best piece of form. Tickatack had been getting closer in better company than this at the end of last season and Hassadin went close over these hurdles back in March. Headley's Bridge has claims on his win at Towcester in the same month and Rich Buddy was an easy winner of a maiden hurdle during the summer. Murcar has the more recent form with a win at Fontwell but Sail Or Return finished nearer last on his latest start having won here last month.
Tickatack (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 6th, headway 8th, ridden when not fluent 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Staccato Valtat (10-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Hurraboru (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 50l behind Cock Of The Rock (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jul.
Hassadin 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place when not fluent 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Staccato Valtat (10-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Headly's Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Gibb River (11-7) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Apr, 17 ran.
Rich Buddy 8-1 (11-0) Led until after 1st, tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, led approaching 2 out where went left on landing, clear last, eased close home, won at Worcester 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Likearollingstone (11-0) by 9l, 11 ran.
Murcar 16-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 6th, headway 7th, went 2nd last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Quaddick Lake (11-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Bathwick Brave (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before and mistake 2 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 14, 7l behind Dormouse (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Consulate (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 6th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Stars Du Granits (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Douglas Julian 22-1 (10-4) Mid-division, reminders after 2nd, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 4th, behind 8th, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Zitenka (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in May.
I Know The Code (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Led until after 3rd, chased leaders until not fluent and weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Sacrilege (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Kusadasi (IRE) 22-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent, behind from 4th, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Gay Sloane (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Aug.
Sail And Return 15-2 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 10, 29l behind Benbane Head (11-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Raktiman (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) In touch, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, reminder after mistake next, not fluent 5th, ridden after next, well beaten after 3 out, 8th of 9, 33l behind Greyfriars Drummer (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
