chased leader, mistake 2nd, led 11th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden 15th, stayed on from 4 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out
prominent, blundered 4th, joined leader 14th, ridden and led approaching 3 out, blundered 3 out, headed briefly approaching last, ran on well flat
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, challenged on bit 3 out, led briefly approaching last, ran on but not pace of winner
prominent, blundered 1st, ridden 15th, weakened approaching 4 out
jumped big and slowly throughout, soon tailed off, pulled up before 10th
led to 11th, pulled up before 3 out
The shortlist contains Ultimate Limit, Castlemore and Lord Anner, with the vote just going to Ultimate Limit. Even though he has been raised 8lbs for his Huntingdon win, Ultimate Limit goes well at this trip and is respected in this contest, while a return to the level of his best hurdling form of a year ago would give Alfa Sunrise a chance, although his chasing runs to date need improving upon. A winning hurdler, and rated 105 in that sphere, Castlemore made a winning debut over fences at Exeter on October 5th. Much as that race took little winning, he should go well today from a mark of 110 if at his best. He's The Biz needs to step up on his chasing debut to feature today, but, in the probability that he will be stripping fitter for his Exeter return, Lord Anner, a one-time useful novice hunter, looks a leading player today from the Paul Nicholls yard. Finally, Five Alley will probably appreciate this trip to the one he ran over at Plumpton last time, although a place is maybe the best he can hope for, and Prince On The Ter is too far out of the handicap to be given claims. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Ultimate Limit.
Castlemore (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, left in lead 9th, drew well clear after 13th, blundered 3 out, heavily eased run-in, won at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (E) frm beating Our Mr Navigator (11-0) by 18l, 6 ran.
He's The Biz (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up rear, ridden 9th, outpaced 14th, stayed on, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 10, 17l behind State of Play (10-10) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (D) gs.
Lord Anner (IRE) 6-5fav (10-13) Held up, hit 6th and 12th, headway next, chased winner 3 out, led last, soon ridden, no extra when headed close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Bay Island (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
Ultimate Limit 9-2 (11-0) Keen, mid-division, headway 13th, ridden 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Sept beating Cool Present (10-9) by 7l, 10 ran.
Alfa Sunrise 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakening when hampered 4 out, 5th of 12, 29l behind Red Devil Robert (11-3) at Taunton 3m beg chs (E) gs in Mar.
Five Alley (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Behind, ridden and not fluent 6th, headway to chase leading pair 10th, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Mystical Star (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd.
Prince On The Ter 100-1 (10-9) Led, headed 13th, weakening when hampered 5 out, 7th of 10, well behind State of Play (10-10) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (D) gs.
