led, ridden and headed flat, eased when beaten towards finish
tracked leader, hit 7th, lost 2nd after next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place when not fluent 6th, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, fell next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led flat, driven out
prominent, lost place after 3rd, left 3rd 2 out, ran on flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 5th, lost place 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
BLACKTOFT seems to appreciate fast ground and with there being a likelihood of that obtaining here, he has many positives in a race where few can be discounted with any haste. Holoko Heights seems to have become more consistent for the application of a visor though has a bit to find on the basis of hurdling figures. Smack That has shown solid form in Ireland though recent efforts for new connections have been pretty disappointing. Canal Bank has Tony McCoy aboard and the champ will need to work his regular miracles in order to get him competitive. Nordwind has struggled to replicate the form he was in during last summer though he has been campaigned in a couple of hot hurdle events of late.
Blacktoft (USA) 2-1 (11-6) Keen, led until not fluent and narrowly headed after 5 out, led again as winner hit 4 out, driven 2 lengths ahead before last and stayed on until not pace of winner and headed towards finish, last of 2, 1 1/4l behind Cootehill (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Smack That (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Raced in rear, under pressure approaching 8th, eased before 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2out, in a race won by West With The Wind (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Canal Bank (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up, hit 1st, not fluent 3rd, went 4th after 6th until next, weakened approaching 9th, 5th of 6, well behind Novikov (11-3) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Hi Tide (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Alph (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Holoko Heights 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, every chance before last, lost 2nd bend entering home straight, no extra, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Front Rank (9-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Nordwind (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch main group, outpaced 4 out, lost place next, no danger after, 6th of 9, 19l behind Alazan (10-6) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Aug.
Roc De Guye (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, lost place approaching 4th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Dreamwalk (11-0) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
