soon ridden to lead, clear 2nd, hard ridden, weakened 7th, headed 8th, beaten when blundered, unseated rider 3 out
always towards rear, left distant 4th 3 out, no impression
chased leader, led 8th, ridden 4 out, hard ridden last, kept on
mid-division, reminder 9th, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on well from last
in touch, chased winner 8th, challenged 4 out, no extra from 3 out
held up, blundered, unseated rider 4th
The Local gets the confident vote in the finale with Good Old Days and Island of Memories rating the main dangers. The selection ran as if in need of the run when only eighth behind Wingman last time out but he ran better than his finishing position would suggest, and in this small field under conditions that suit he is taken to make all. Good Old Days rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Absolutelythebest but that was on a faster surface and this softer ground is a worry. Island of Memories is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Something Wells but he is creeping up the weights without winning and looks opposable on that basis. Pauntley Gofa is game and consistent and is sure to run his race and he loves the track so he could go well at a price. Of the remainder Made In Montot has the ability to win off this mark but is often let down by his jumping and with this in mind for the winner we return to The Local who has plenty of ticks in the right boxes.
The Local 25-1 (11-1) Led, clear after 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 11, 19l behind Wingman (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Good Old Days (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always going well, headway 9th, led and hung right from 2 out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Absolutelythebest (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Pauntley Gofa 100-1 (9-11) Chased leader until before 3rd, behind 6th, closed before 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, went moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Kalca Mome (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) sft.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, some late headway, never a factor, 9th of 14, 8l behind Amnesty (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Jupon Vert (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Led after 1st, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on from last lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Adecco (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gf.
Island of Memories (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, still travelling well before 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Something Wells (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Made In Montot (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Always in rear, mistake 4th, reminders 8th, weakened 14th, last of 6, 35l behind Donovan (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
