jumped right 1st, soon handy, mistake 4th, not fluent next, lost place 6th, back in touch 9th, mistake 10th, weakened 12th, mistake next, pulled up before 14th
chased leader, led 2nd, headed 12th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish
held up, headway after 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, raced keenly, went 2nd 6th, led 12th, ridden after last, edged right and headed close home
always in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, edged right flat, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
held up, headway approaching 12th, driven 14th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, mistake 3rd, hit 9th, struggling from 12th, behind next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, remained prominent, losing place when not much room on inside before 9th, behind from 12th
Nonrunner
Reflected Glory is given the chance to atone for his error at Kelso, Tribal Venture must be feared whilst Le Seychellois ran creditably last time. The selection won his final start for Paul Nicholls last March and was favourite on his Rules debut for his new connections where he faced Cornish Rebel and Sleeping Night. He departed at the fourth so that run told us little but he's clearly held in some regard. The locally owned Tribal Venture ran on well to win a lesser race at Ludlow on his Hunter Chase bow. He has something to find with the selection on last season's form under Rules but he's a consistent sort who's chance must be respected. Dickensbury Lad and Knife Edge are of some interest whilst Le Seychellois was running on well enough at Bangor last time to be well worth another try at this trip. He has failed to see it out in the past but that was in better company and he may last out better now that he's older. However, we'll return to the solid claims of Reflected Glory for our pick in the finale.
Dickensbury Lad (FR) 17-2 (12-5) Prom; led 14; rn out nxt ran out in race won by Buckby Lane (12-5) at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Gallik Dawn 11-2 (10-5) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression on leaders before 2 out, 5th of 9, 14l behind Tanterari (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Over The Storm (IRE) 14-1 (12-7) Prom; led 10 til hdd aft nxt; wknd 15, 4th of 11, 27l behind Mister Banjo (12-0) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd.
Reflected Glory (IRE) 9-4fav (12-3) Chased leaders when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Sleeping Night (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) sft, 12 ran.
Tribal Venture (FR) 8-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, close-up 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, ran on, won at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) sft beating Hip Pocket (11-3) by 6l, 5 ran.
Howard Howard 20-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 12th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Twenty Degrees (12-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hts chs (4) gd.
Le Seychellois (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Led to 3rd, lost touch with front pair from 7th, left poor 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Risk Accessor (12-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (6) hvy.
Tom's Prize 5-1 (11-10) Led, jumped left mostly, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out and weakened last, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Tribal Venture (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) sft.
Knife Edge (USA) 10-1 (12-7) Never going well, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Lou Du Moulin Mas (12-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs, 8 ran.
