jumped sketchily early, led, hit 1st and next, headed after 4th, chased leader then raced bit keen, led again 5 out, ridden before 3 out, good jump to assert last, stayed on strongly
pressed winner, led after 4th, headed 5 out, chased winner, mistake 4 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened, mistake 2 out
held up in 3rd, went right 6th, pushed along after 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, soon hung left, ridden between last two, dived at last, no extra run-in
NonRunner
Slanelough will probably need the run but is best in small fields like this. Joke Dancer is another who often needs an outing or two to put him straight but he has won around here off a higher mark. EL BORRACHO won over hurdles last month and followed up over fences at Warwick when always travelling like a winner. He’s gone up 5lb but Toby Wynne takes off 7lb again. Texard won over this trip at Uttoxeter in June so can’t be ignored.
El Borracho (IRE) 11-8 (11-12) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 7th, made rest, clear from 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly, won at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Ragamuffin (11-2) by 13l, 3 ran.
Texard (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway to go 2nd 5 out, ridden and outpaced home turn, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 35 1/4l behind Francky Du Berlais (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jul.
Joke Dancer 11-4fav (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, outpaced before 3 out, ridden next, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 6, 7l behind Leapaway (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Slanelough (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Chased leader, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, last of 5, 19 3/4l behind Miss Amelia (10-11) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
