held up towards rear, headway approaching last, ridden and ran on flat, went 2nd towards finish
held up in rear, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and headed flat, unable to quicken
led, clear after 2nd, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed when not fluent last, no extra flat
chased leader, ridden 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
mistake and behind 4th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, lost place 3 out, weakened flat
mid-division, in rear from 4th
always towards rear
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, driven to lead and carried head high flat, stayed on
chased leaders, 2nd briefly before 3 out, no extra last
held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, ran on flat, nearest finish
mid-division, effort 3 out, no impression when mistake last
chased leaders, ridden when mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
Nonrunner
This has the makings of a trappy handicap hurdle, with General Smith worth taking on despite having travelled well on his way to winning at Market Rasen, his first success in three years. Preference is for TEMPLE PLACE at the foot of the weights after a fine second at Newton Abbot. He's up 6lbs but remains well handicapped on his best form and may well have won that day were it not for a terrible blunder at the last; that was his first start since the spring and compensation awaits. Market support for Kensington Oval would be noteworthy as he once promised to be very smart and is in the right hands, as it would be for Classic Fly who attracted money before showing more at Stratford although it must be said he's still weighted to the hilt. Art Man and top weight Edgefour are also considered in a complex puzzle.
Edgefour (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 7th of 8, 32l behind Battle Group (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
War Party 16-1 (11-5) In touch, reminders 7th, chased leading pair soon after until weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, 37l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
The Brimmer (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th or next, headway 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 20l behind Hurricane Electric (10-0) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Seaquel 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, soon lost place, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Rebel Dancer (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
General Smith 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, not fluent last, soon led, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug beating Topenhall (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Long Distance (FR) 33-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, weakened 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Maska Pony (10-11) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Kensington Oval 6-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, pushed along 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Be Ashored (10-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug, 7 ran.
Golden Gem (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up behind, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 36l behind Magnetic Pole (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Emirates World (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, 3rd briefly after 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 14l behind Kijivu (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Art Man 4-1 (11-0) Held up behind, pushed along 5th, ridden 7th, headway approaching and hit 2 out, left 4th last, no impression, 4th of 8, 13l behind Call At Midnight (10-7) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Welcome Stranger 33-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 13l behind Space Telescope (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Dormouse 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway from 5th, poor 4th 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 45l behind Saltagioo (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Shindig 15-2 (11-5) In touch, improved to lead approaching 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Rebel Swing (10-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Classic Fly (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden and held by front pair from 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Arcadia Boy (11-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Gold Ring 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed approaching 6th, soon led again and stayed wide, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 20l behind Benedict Spirit (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Aug.
Temple Place (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division on outside, dropped towards rear 3rd, good headway 3 out, challenged going well when blundered next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression flat, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Nothing Is Forever (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
