held up, headway 11th, going well when blundered 4 out, soon lost place, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
made all, ridden and jumped left 3 out, stayed on from last
chased leaders, blundered 10th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in touch, blundered 7th, ridden and lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, hit 8th, headway next, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened last
held up, blundered 1st, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on from last, always held
chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, pecked last, one pace
Own Line is worth chancing in this company and is marginally preferred to Le Roi Rouge and Hold The Bid. The last named has been frustrating to follow and has yet to force a victory from 17 previous starts. However, he has a fair record of making the frame and can be on the premises if he runs to his best. Le Roi Rouge won a handful of races in his native France before making a satisfactory British debut last month. The Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding can be expected to have benefited greatly from the experience and may prove to be a real thorn in the side for the selection. However, Own Line is a tough customer to deal with on his day and, as a sure-footed jumper, he is fancied to be the one that copes the best with the demands of these notoriously tricky fences.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 9-1 (11-0) In rear, headway when hit 11th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 10l behind Bafana Boy (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Own Line 12-1 (10-13) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied approaching last, no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Otantique (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
College City (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, mistakes 4th and 5th, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 29l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f lst hcp chs (1) gf.
Mokum (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 28l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft.
Divex (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In rear, headway from 9th, ridden 2 out, no impression approaching last, 4th of 9, 7l behind Or de Grugy (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 3-1fav (10-3) Held up, driven and headway from 2 out to lead last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind King Harald (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Lawaaheb (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) In touch, headway to lead briefly approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Bleu Pois (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
