tracked leaders on outside, outpaced after 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up in last pair in touch, driven to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and one pace in 4th between last 2, rallied flat, led and going away towards finish
with leader, led 13th, mistake 5 out, headed 3 out, driven and one pace next, no impression from last
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place and reminders 11th, soon behind, weakened 3 out
led to 13th, in touch, every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, no extra in 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders on inside, driven after 4 out, outpaced when went right 2 out, weakened last
held up in last pair in touch, headway 11th, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden flat, kept on, headed and no extra towards finish
Barton Stacey hasn't run over fences since scoring at Stratford in May but did win over hurdles at Fontwell earlier this month when Victor Leudorum, now a pound worse off, was well beaten. He has to go on the short-list as does last month's Newton Abbot winner Porters War. My Lad Percy still has a bit to prove over the larger obstacles, however, while Trafalgar has a long absence to overcome but Johnny's Way is a previous course and distance winner who hasn't been disgraced back under Rules lately. FOREVER MY FRIEND turned in a shocker at Bangor last time but is weighted to reverse earlier running with Porters War and goes well here - he's given another chance.
Victor Leudorum (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 36l behind Barton Stacey (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf.
Barton Stacey (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf beating Halling's Wish (11-8) by 5l, 10 ran.
Trafalgar (FR) 3-1fav (11-11) Prominent, slow 1st, mistake 11th, driven to challenge 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 5th of 9, 6l behind Samingarry (10-13) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Johnny's Way 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not much room 5th, went 2nd 6th until not fluent 12th, led after next, headed 4 out, one pace last, 4th of 7, 11l behind Foundry Square (11-6) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Porters War (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led until 4th, in touch, ridden 11th, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on to lead last strides, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul beating Falcarragh (11-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, effort 4 out, soon driven, weakening when jumped right 2 out, 5th of 7, well behind Western King (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
My Lad Percy 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, no chance with leaders, plugged on to take moderate 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Midnight Oscar (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
