tracked leading pair, hit 7th, one pace flat
held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway after 8th, ridden before 2 out, switched left before last, led flat, stayed on well
held up last, reminder after 5th, weakened well before 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 8th, shaken up and beaten before 2 out
prominent, led after 2nd, not fluent 5th, headed and driven before 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
settled in touch, moved closer 8th, led 2 out, headed flat, not quicken
led, headed after 2nd, remained with leader, led again before 6th, headed 3 out, 4th and looking held when hit last
held up, not fluent 6th, no progress
in touch, ridden to lead 3 out, untidy jump and headed 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace flat
Lothian Falcon is selected here ahead of Oniz Tiptoes and, possibly, Capitalise. Lothian Falcon returned in great heart for the season when winning at Cheltenham. Okay, he has been raised eight pounds for that win but he comes here fit and at the height of his powers and can win again. A winner off a 13-pounds higher mark than today over fences last time, Oniz Tiptoes could go well, while the booking of Robert Thornton for Capitalise could be interesting. In general, the others seem to need to find best-yet efforts if they are going to score and, much as that comment applies also to the selection, he comes here in good form and Lothian Falcon it is that gets our nomination.
Circassian (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Saif Sareea (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Lothian Falcon 7-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, led after 5 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Always Waining (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Final Bid (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) With leader, outpaced after 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 10, 8l behind Insurgent (9-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Coconut Beach 12-1 (10-5) Towards rear, progress 3 out, 7th after 2 out, no extra before last, 8th of 20, 16l behind Leg Spinner (10-8) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-123 gd in Aug.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders 8th, soon outpaced, no danger after, 9th of 13, 47l behind Elvis Returns (10-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Capitalise (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Diarius (10-9) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Chased clear leader, closed up after 4 out to lead 3 out, in command last, driven and stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Latimer's Place (11-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Saint Godegrand (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Behind, headway between last 2, stayed on approaching last, 4th of 14, 14l behind Tayman (10-6) at Folkestone 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
English City (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out, last of 12, 20l behind Kristiansand (10-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
