held up in touch, tracked leader 8th, disputed lead approaching 4 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra in 3rd final 50 yards
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last
mistake 2nd, held up in touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, headway approaching last, switched inside and ran on well flat to lead final 50 yards
always prominent, left 2nd briefly 3rd, headway to lead narrowly approaching 4 out, ridden last, kept on until headed and not pace of winner final 50 yards
mid-division, headway and in touch 11th, driven to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace, no extra in 4th flat
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
led, headed 5th, led again after 7th, headed approaching 4 out, weaakened from next
tracked leader until fell 3rd
in touch, hamperd 3rd, soon tracked leader, led 5th to after 7th, lost place next, hit 11th, behind from 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
in touch when brought down 3rd
This is normally a decent contest and the form is often worth following. Gansey, Alvarado and Mac Aeda are all previous course and distance winners and could figure if fully wound-up, though the latter probably prefers a longer trip nowadays. Sherwani Wolf usually runs well fresh but Peachey Moment struggled in better company after winning at Sedgefield in May and, along with Eastlake, was a long way behind easy Uttoxeter winner PIGEON ISLAND last time. Nigel Twiston-Davies' grey was raised 10lb for that success but he's still well treated on his best form and can continue his revival here. Montoya's Son and The Hollinwell have ability but neither could be described as consistent, while Lease Lend returns from a long absence.
Lease Lend 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 7th of 10, 20l behind Watch My Back (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr '11.
Gansey (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway before 3 out, went 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 13l behind The Knoxs (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Alvarado (IRE) 5-6fav (12-6) Stumbled and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Call Me Mulligan (11-11) at Cartmel 3m 2f hts chs (6) gd in Jun, 7 ran.
Pigeon Island 11-2 (11-1) Soon led, headed after 1st, tracked leaders, jumped right 7th, led 4 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep beating Strumble Head (10-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
Mac Aeda 20-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway 10th to go mid-division, chased leaders 19th, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 24, well behind Merigo (10-2) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Peachey Moment (USA) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 12th, mistake 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 28l behind Pigeon Island (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, headway from 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, went left 2 out, 7th of 10, 34l behind Wayward Glance (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Eastlake (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up, mistake 2nd, not fluent 10th, headway after 12th, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 20l behind Pigeon Island (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Montoya's Son (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in close 5th, went 4th 11th, not fluent and stumbled next, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Allanard (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jun.
The Hollinwell 28-1 (10-0) Chased leader, led before 3 out, went left 3 out, headed next, no chance with winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Jun.
Sherwani Wolf (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened after 12th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Railway Dillon (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Tough Talkin Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenged 7th, led next, headed approaching 2 out, 3rd and weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Merrion Square (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) sft in Sep.
