held up in touch, one pace in 5th when left 4th from last, no impression
tracked leader, pressed leader after 5 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on run-in
towards rear, headway after 5 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 8 out and soon lost place, headway before 4 out, soon went 2nd, left in lead 2 out, soon ridden, hung bady right run-in, headed close home
always behind
held up towards rear and in touch, headway before 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, challenged last, carried right run-in, kept on to lead close home
led, mistake 9th, ridden before and fell 2 out
Nonrunner
Pepite Rose has slipped down the weights and showed signs of a revival when third at Doncaster last time. But Sue Smith has trained four of the last six winners of this and MWALESHI can add to her tally. The latter scored in this grade at Haydock a fortnight ago and is just preferred to Firth Of The Clyde, a who won over these fences last time but has yet to score over this far. Indian Voyage was still contention when falling at the last behind Firth Of Clyde but Midnight Belle is upped a grade after winning at Ludlow. Alderbrook Lad's placed effort here looks stronger form than Free World's recent second and Granville Island should be thereabouts.
Pepite Rose (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked winner, mistake 3 out, ridden before next, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Highland Retreat (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4f Listed ch (1) gd.
Mwaleshi 9-1 (11-7) Made all, ridden and clear before last, kept on well, won at Haydock 2m 5f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy beating Maggio (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Firth Of The Clyde 13-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, in 3rd and ridden before last, soon left in lead, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs beating Kings Grey (11-4) by 8l, 6 ran.
Granville Island (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Chased leading pair until after 6th, chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden between last 2, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Fairy Rath (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Indian Voyage (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Chased leader, led before 4 out, headed before 3 out, hampered and fell last, in a race won by Firth Of The Clyde (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs, 6 ran.
Midnight Belle 7-4fav (10-9) With leader, led from 5th, clear 3 out, held on well run-in, won at Ludlow 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (3) sft beating Lily Waugh (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, kept on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Bobcatbilly (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Free World (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Led and soon clear, mistake 2 out, headed before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Rowdy Rocher (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
