took keen hold, tracked leading trio, went 2nd after 17th, driven before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, blundered, rider lost iron and narrowly headed last, rallied gamely to lead again last strides
tracked leader until 10th, stayed in 3rd, went 2nd again 12th, led 17th, mistake and narrowly headed 3 out, driven and mistake 2 out, led again as winner blundered last, headed last strides
chased leading duo, went 2nd 10th until 12th, stayed in 3rd but no chance with leading duo before 3 out
in touch, blundered 3rd, mistakes 10th and 12th, ridden and struggling when went badly left and hit 16th, driven to modest 4th after next, hit 4 out, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
led, hit 10th, headed when not much room and bumped 17th, soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
LORD LESCRIBAA clearly has his quirks but he gets in off a very light racing weight and the handicapper hasn't sought to punish him for a recent second over course-and-distance. Von Galen was all out to win a contest at Towcester and has gone up 8lb. He isn't the fastest between the fences though his jumping is perfectly sound in the main, Might As Well has taken on better company in the past and conditions should suit. Rossmill Lad and Morgan The Mighty have no recent worthwhile form to go upon though they hail from shrewd yards and in an inherently modest race; it would be no surprise to see money around for either.
Might As Well 9-4fav (10-8) Held up in touch, blundered 8th, not fluent next, ridden to challenge 4 out, led before next, mistake and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Painter Man (11-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Von Galen (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, went 2nd next, slightly outpaced after 3 out, edged left after 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Towcester 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd beating Gaining Ground (10-10) by 8l, 14 ran.
Lord Lescribaa (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leader until 2nd, regained 2nd 8th until 10th, chased winner from 17th, driven before 3 out, soon one pace and no impression, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Outside Investor (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (4) gf.
Rossmill Lad (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) In rear, ridden and effort approaching 11th, 22 lenghts down in 5th and no impression when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Russellstown Boy (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy, 10 ran.
Morgan The Mighty (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) In rear, behind from 8th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Keepitsecret (11-6) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jun '08, 13 ran.
