jumped poorly, raced in 4th, mistake 1st, awkward next, dropped to last 4th, mistake and reminders 7th, tailing off when pulled up before 9th
tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 12th, blundered 4 out, ridden after 3 out, joined 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
reluctant to start and led in, well enough away, held up last, closer tracking leading trio 4th, went 3rd approaching 13th, ridden and one pace approaching 2 out
raced keenly in 3rd, went 2nd soon after 12th, pushed along to challenge 2 out, soon led, shaken up and went clear between last two, stayed on strongly
sweating, led and soon clear, reduced lead after 10th, reminders before next, headed 12th, weakened quickly, tailed off
There’s probably not a lot to choose between these on their best form but Leapaway seems to be suffering from a lack of confidence and Al Roc isn’t really firing at present. VISION DES FLOS is back on the mark off which he was successful 12 months ago and a recent second over hurdles at Newton Abbot was the ideal preparation. Golden Taipan was the first beaten at Bangor last time but Fat Sam is back on song and looks a danger.
Leapaway (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) In rear, pushed along 10th, mistake next, ridden after 13th, last and well held from 3 out, last of 7, 33 1/2l behind Neville's Cross (12-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Fat Sam 10-3 (11-13) Mid-division, went 2nd 10th, led after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon faced challenge, headed approaching last, well beaten run-in and eased, 2nd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Northern Bound (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, closed before 7th, mistake 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, every chance when slightly untidy last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Litterale Ci (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Al Roc (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed 10th and ridden, dropped away and lost touch 12th, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Northern Bound (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.