held up, headway 11th, led after 5 out, stayed on well
led, headed after 5 out, ridden and weakened next
in touch, reminder after 8th, struggling from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, weakening when blundered 3 out
chased leader, ridden 5 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 4 out
held up, ridden 11th, soon struggling
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 4 out, soon chasing winner, no impression
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 10th, went 3rd 3 out, no impression
David Pipe's yard isn't in the greatest of form at the moment, but course and distance winner Learning The Blues can land this beginners' chase, and is nominated ahead of Go Free and La Estrella. The selection has a course and distance win to his name, albeit a year ago. This trip will suit after a couple of disappointing efforts over further. La Estrella is making his seasonal debut, and Don Cantillon's gelding, his only runner, may bide his time before making a late move, and if ready should have the beating of many of these, and could live up to his name, which means the star. Aiden Coleman can claim 3 pounds on Go Free, and dropping down to this level should suit. But we'll go with Learning The Blues.
Brinkmanship (USA) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 6th, headway on outside 8th, weakened 2 out, slightly hampered last, 5th of 12, 19l behind Ladino (11-4) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Fermat (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place and reminder 6th, headway 9th, ridden again 10th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Keepitsecret (11-6) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Fresh Love (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, struggling 12th, behind when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Proud Andees (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in May, 11 ran.
Go Free 20-1 (10-7) Slowly away, held up, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, beaten next, 4th of 8, 10l behind Commemoration Day (10-12) at Stratford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd.
Hands Free (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened 5th, 9th of 14, well behind Gurteenoona (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf.
La Estrella (USA) 11-4 (11-8) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd or 8th, soon niggled along, struggling after 9th, 4th of 10, 23l behind Galient (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Learning The Blues (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 12, 31l behind Ladino (11-4) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Pay Up John (IRE) (12-0) pulled up in race won by Right You Are (12-0) at Coolkip 3m ire ptp gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Saddlers Blaze (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly 5th, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Chevy To The Levy (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
The Saltire Tiger 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 10th, tailed off next, plugged on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, well behind Franc Villez (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
