tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 10th
keen, in touch, mistake 3 out, ridden and one pace
led, headed after 4th, stayed prominent, ridden 2 out, led approaching last, kept on gamely
in touch, ridden and mistake 11th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, steady headway 10th, ridden 2 out, chased winner last, just failed
tracked leaders, led after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakening when headed last
held up, detached 8th, plenty to do when headway 3 out and mistake, running on strongly towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened 9th
tracked leaders, slow jump and lost place 6th, rallied 4 out, weakened next
always in rear, pulled up 12th
soon in rear and tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
FANTASTIC ARTS is nominated to land the finale for Venetia Williams and Sam Thomas with Keepitsecret and Hold The Bid put up as the most likely threats. The selection travelled extremely well last weekend at Stratford on soft ground which may have contributed to the petrol tank emptying earlier than expected. He has in the past looked a weak finisher but the livelier surface should suit. Keepitsecret has received a 13lb hike for his last victory. That win came on the back of a two month break and is open to further improvement. Hold The Bid returns from a 186 day absence and this hold-up performer can probably be expected to benefit for this run. Quick ground looks the secret to Alphabetical who was left off after winning last time. If fit he should be thereabouts and the market will indicate what is expected today. Donovan is well handicapped on the best of his form and looked a revived character last time but Fantastic Arts is selected to get punters out on a winning note.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Close up, led 11th to 13th, ridden next, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 36l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Apr.
Borora 50-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 16, 45l behind Snoopy Loopy (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul.
Rakalackey 25-1 (10-10) Took keen hold in rear, reminder after 14th, mistake 5 out, headway 4 out, stayed from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Surface To Air (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
Alphabetical (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 9th, kept on from 2 out, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun beating Hermano Cordobes (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ease The Way 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, no chance with winner from 3 out, 2nd of 6, 22l behind Genghis (11-5) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Aug.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in rear when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Fourty Acers (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 5-6fav (11-2) Held up in 4th, went 3rd 4 out, led going well 3 out, easily, won at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug beating Earcomesannie (10-0) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Bill's Echo 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, struggling from 9th, soon beaten, last of 9, well behind Ballyholland (10-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Bushido (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 6th, mistake next, soon lost place and behind, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Oumeyade (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Fantastic Arts (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 11th, blundered 4 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, nk behind Aleron (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Sainte Kadette (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division when fell at the 9th in race won by William Butler (10-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul, 11 ran.
Dere Lyn 14-1 (10-10) Always in rear, mistake 7th, 5th of 14, 30l behind Different Class (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Donovan (NZ) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, headway after 11th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Andrew Nick (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Rookery Lad 13-2 (10-11) Soon with leader, led 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed and hit last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Nelson's Spice (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Kentmere (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Well behind, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Cooldine Boy (11-10) by a nk, 9 ran.