held up, fell 2nd
held up, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
held up in touch, dropped rear 6th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, headway next, challenged 2 out, every chance last, held towards finish
held up, headway 4th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 4th, hit 7th and 8th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
With the ground appearing to have gone against Potts Of Magic, we'll take Red Perk to be good enough to see off that rival, with Kirby's Vic the other that makes a bit of appeal. The selection stays this trip well, has never fallen over hurdles, and handles the ground. Although he looks to be weighted to the hilt, and in that respect is potentially vulnerable, if he runs as well as he can he should still be good enough to land the prize. Potts Of Magic will be full of confidence after a Worcester win last time, but Richard Lee's gelding has never shown any decent form with cut in the ground and for that reason he is opposed. Nigel Twiston-Davies is enjoying his usual good autumn and he runs Kirby's Vic. With the yard going so well it would be foolish to dismiss this five-year-old, though the improvement he clearly needs to make may not be beyond him over this longer, and as yet untried trip. We'll see of any market moves suggest he is fancied, but without that knowledge we'll plump for the tried and tested Red Park to prevail.
Roman Rebel 8-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, pushed along 7th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 44l behind Mckelvey (11-4) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (F) hvy in Feb.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden after 5th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Un Autre Espere (9-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd, 13 ran.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, mistake last, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 18l behind Refinement (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs.
Red Perk (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden to stay in touch before 13th, soon behind, tailed off from 3 out, 5th of 7, 35l behind Billy Ballbreaker (11-1) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in May.
Potts of Magic 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, led last, driven out, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Sept beating Aston (11-7) by 2l, 15 ran.
Alpha Juliet (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up, driven, headed when hampered on bend after 4 out and brought down 3 out in race won by Stoneravinmad (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf, 13 ran.
Quainton Hills 16-1 (10-2) Held up, weakened 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Swifts Hill (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May, 8 ran.
Mongino (GER) 66-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 13th of 15, well behind Magical Legend (10-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (D) gd.
