mid-division, jumped right and mistake 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 7th
held up, pulled up before 4th
in touch, fell 3rd
mid-division, hampered 3rd, no impression from 4 out
held up, mistake 7th, soon struggling, pulled up after 8th
jumped right, behind, blundered badly 8th, soon tailed off
jumped well, made all, clear approaching 4th, unchallenged
held up, slightly hampered 3rd, behind when blundered and unseated rider 5th
prominent, chased winner from 5th, no impression from 4 out
chased leader until 5th, weakened approaching 7th
held up, hit 6th, some headway 4 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last
held up in touch, 3rd and weakening when blundered 4 out
prominent until weakened approaching 5th
Nonrunner
Optimistic Harry, Donovan, On The Forty and Percipient are the ones to look closely at with the vote going to the last named. Percipient has been a model of consistency this season before winning at Worceseter last time out in claiming company over hurdles. This is a different proposition as he reverts back to the larger obstacles here which he has form over so this should not pose a problem. With confidence on his side he could prove difficult to beat. Optimistic Harry will find this tougher than his Uttoxeter win as he carries a penalty for his eight length success that day. He also jumped badly right which on a left handed course will be against him. Donovan drops down in grade after his defeat at Aintree in May. He is better judged on his win at Kelso prior to that and will be in the shake up here as could On The Forty who is unpredictable but comes from a yard who have just hit form. But for the winner we return to Percipient.
On The Forty 7-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 21l behind Optimistic Harry (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs.
Husky (POL) 25-1 (10-8) Behind when fell at the 6th in race won by In The Frame (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun, 12 ran.
Optimistic Harry 11-1 (10-0) Jumped right, held up in rear, hit 3rd, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs beating Lady Lambrini (9-10) by 8l, 12 ran.
Nazimabad (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) With leader, led and hit 1st, headed 7th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 12, 9l behind In The Frame (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Donovan (NZ) 11-2 (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway after 3rd, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Border Tale (10-1) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in May.