held up in rear on outside, not fluent 3rd, some headway after 6th, struggling 10th, tailed off
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, chased winner before last, no impression, flattered by proximity
held up towards rear, driven after 11th, 6th 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner 11th until no impression approaching last, weakened flat
with leader, led 3rd, headed 9th, mistake 11th, jumped right 3 out, weakened next
jumped right, always behind
narrow lead until 3rd, tracked leaders, lost ground on front rank approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd after last
held up in rear, headway after 6th, mistake 11th, disputing 6th when lost action and pulled up before 4 out
mistake 7th, soon struggling
took keen hold, prominent, led 9th, in command and drew clear approaching 4 out, eased final 100 yards
Sir Ian fell when last seen over chase fences but won at Stratford in March over a similar trip. He is 10lb higher in the ratings but has the benefit of bottom weight here. FROSTED GRAPE is the one to beat in such decent form and gets the vote after a commanding performance last time to beat Jimbatai. She is looking for a hat-trick and with another bold jumping performance can make it a reality. Magnetic Pole comes here after winning last time out but this was far closer and he lost to Radetsky March two starts ago who Frosted Grape comfortably beat last time. Keepitsecret has claims on the pick of his ability having run against Listed opposition but looked out of sorts last time whilst Storm Of Applause and Sunday City may be a bit too high in the ratings. Moulin De La Croix looked like challenging Frosted Grape at Uttoxeter earlier this month but was hampered and fell. She could pose a big threat, as could the competitive Rockiteer who has improved for the application of cheek-pieces in his last two runs, but it's Frosted Grape who gets the vote.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on outside, mistake and lost place 12th, well behind 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Ballycarney (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) In touch, not fluent 2nd, pushed along 7th, soon lost place and no chance after, 5th of 7, 18l behind Classic Swain (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Rockiteer (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, left 2nd and hampered 11th, closed after 3 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Walamo (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Moulin de La Croix 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 9th, ridden 3 out, challenged next, every chance when hampered and fell last, in a race won by Frosted Grape (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Frosted Grape (IRE) 5-4fav (10-4) Prominent, led 6th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs beating Jimbatai (11-1) by 14l, 8 ran.
Qianshan Leader (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 9, 46l behind Whistlejacquet (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Pressed leader until not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd 5th until approaching 7th, ridden 9th, beaten after 2 out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Bermuda Pointe (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Tell Me The Story (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway after 11th, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Magnetic Pole 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd after 11th, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on under pressure when hard pressed towards finish, just held on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug beating Cebonne (11-12) by shd, 8 ran.
Sir Ian (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Led until 5 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, fell last, in a race won by Picaroon (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr, 6 ran.
Sunday City (JPN) 7-1 (11-3) In touch, close 3rd 4 out, jumped right 3 out, weakening when jumped right last, 6th of 10, 24l behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
