tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
blundered and almost unseated rider 1st, pressed leader, not fluent 7th, ridden before next, soon lost place and weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 5th, ridden after 7th, soon lost touch and pulled up
held up in touch, dropped to rear 4th, lost touch 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up
led, headed after 7th, outpaced next, no chance with front pair from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leading pair, headway to lead after 7th, drew clear on bit after 3 out, very easily
held up in touch, headway after 7th, went 2nd after next, ridden and outpaced in clear 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner
Masterofdeception won at Ffos Las and Aintree in June before only finding one too good at Southwell. Christopher Ward's claim will help offset his penalty but he faces a tough task giving weight to smart staying chaser MENDIP EXPRESS (NAP). Harry Fry's gelding fell on his only previous start over hurdles but went on to win three times over fences and is prepared for a tilt at the Welsh National next month. Crack Of Thunder's Huntingdon conqueror Ordo Ab Chao, has won again since so he can't be ignored and Lock Towers was a fair third at Worcester in May. The Tourard Man also ran well at Exeter on his hurdling debut, though his long-term future will lie over fences.
Masterofdeception (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Shubaat (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Jul.
Crack Of Thunder (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, not fluent 5th, shaken up after 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 3, 15l behind Ordo Ab Chao (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Dontminddboys (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Alw in rr, pu 4out, in a race won by Risk A Fine (12-2) at Belclare 3m ire ptp in Mar, 12 ran.
Killimordaly (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, led 5th, jumped left and not fluent 6th, jumped left next, soon headed, weakened after 3 out, last of 5, 36l behind Minella Present (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cond mdn hdle (5) gd in Oct.
Lock Towers (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Led, not fluennt 9th, ridden after 3 out, headed after 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Merrion Square (10-13) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Mendip Express (IRE) 9-1fav (10-7) Always towards rear, mistake 7 out, never dangerous, pulled up, in a race won by Al Co (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 29 ran.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Morito Du Berlais (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
