held up, some headway 6th, went modest 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
in rear, some headway 7th, soon no impression
chased leader until approaching 4 out, soon weakened
made all, clear from 5 out
chased leaders, chased winner approaching 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 4 out, no impression
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
On paper this is the best looking race on the card. All but one of the scheduled 9 runners have winning form, and we'll go with Kirby's Vic to get the better of Notre Cyborg and Cheeky Lad. Nigel Twiston-Davies' yard is in form at the moment, with Kirby's Lad a consistent sort no matter what the ground, who could try and make all on a course that's favourable to front runners. He's well in at the weights, and David England can claim 3 pounds as well. Notre Cyborg unseated the rider last time out when looking handy; Timmy Murphy gets the ride today for Mark Keighley, who doesn't have many runners, but they're worth noting when he does. Cheeky Lad will be expected to come from off the pace, so that may not suit here. It's nearly 2 years since he won, and that was a higher grade race. It wouldn't be a great surprise if he landed the spoils here, but we'll go with Kirby's Vic.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up, in touch when blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Brave Broncho (10-0) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf, 5 ran.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Prominent, jumped right 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Kaldouas (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders until outpaced 4 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Colliers Court 16-1 (11-9) With leader, led briefly 5th, ridden 4 out, weakened when blundered 3 out, 10th of 12, 29l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, set good gallop, clear 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, no chance with winner approaching 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 16l behind William Butler (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) In touch, led 6th, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind William Butler (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Leading Article (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Led to 4th, still close 2nd when blundered next, soon dropped rear, hit 3 out, 9th of 10, 46l behind Thenameescapesme (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Scania Classic 7-4 (12-5) Led to 4; led 15; jnd 2 out; rdn clr, won at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May beating Mantle Of Gold (11-5) by 10l, 3 ran.
Cheeky Lad 15-2 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden 11th, effort 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 42l behind Oumeyade (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
