chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, ridden 8th, mistake 4th, went 3rd after 3 out, no impression
led, dived at 6th, headed 3 out, no impression last
chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, ridden 5th, pulled up before 7th
chased leader until after 3rd and again before 6th, challenged 4 out, led next, clear when blundered last, eased towards finish
jumped right, headway to chase leader after 3rd until before 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th and no chance when refused last
not fluent 1st, always in rear, blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
towards rear on outside, well behind 8th, left poor 4th last
There may only be seven runners in this handicap chase but every one of the seven has claims and it may be worth siding with John Cornwall's MAD PROFESSOR, who is 7lb higher than when scoring at Southwell in April and ran well off a 2lb higher mark than today when a close third at the same venue two outings ago. Paul Webber's Space Star should appreciate the drop in trip but is hard to recommend on recent form, while Tim Vaughan's Tanmeya has disappointed over hurdles of late. Glengarra has been given a chance by the handicapper but like The Darling Boy has been well held in recent starts. Post It has looked moderate at best, while Western Pride is now 8lb higher than when all out to win over course and distance in August.
Space Star 10-3 (11-8) Led until 12th, chased winner, no impression before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 43l behind Mutual Respect (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Glengarra (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Led until after 6th, hit 9th, weakened approaching 10th, 5th of 10, well behind Frosted Grape (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep.
Tanmeya 28-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and disputing 6th when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Crystal Rock (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep, 12 ran.
The Darling Boy 9-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened well before 2 out, last of 8, well behind Beauchamp Viking (10-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Post It 11-1 (10-5) Soon held up towards rear, reminder after 6th, headway when jumped right 8th, 4th and well held approaching 3 out, hit next, jumped right last, 4th of 9, 30l behind R'Cam (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Western Pride 9-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 11th, soon weakened, mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Another Trump (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden in rear 8th, modest 6th 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Another Trump (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
