pulled hard, tracked leader, left in clear lead 4th, reduced advantage after 8th, not fluent next, soon headed, 10 lengths 4th when not fluent 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, jumped right from next, not fluent 8th, mistake and beaten 2 out, weakened last
in rear, well behind from 4th, not fluent and ridden 6th, pulled up before 9th
pulled hard, led until blundered and unseated rider 4th
in rear, jumped right, well behind from 4th, fell 7th
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, left 2nd behind clear leader 4th, jumped right 7th, closed from next, led soon after 9th, jumped right 4 out and when mistake 3 out, clear last, stayed on well
Monte Cavallo's defeat of Mr Mulligan at Bangor in May hasn't really worked out but he may have just needed the run when second to Professor Emery at Stratford at the start of the month and is preferred to Esporao, gifted a beginners' chase at Clonmel in June. The latter only won a selling hurdle at Perth last time. Nigel Twiston-Davies is trying The Cockney Mackem again over fences after eight previous attempts. He may find at least one too good again with CANADIAN DIAMOND getting the nod. Brendan Powell's charge goes well fresh so a recent break isn't a concern and he has a big chance at the weights if translating his hurdles form to the larger obstacles.
Esporao (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Made all, clear 2 out, ridden flat, always holding on, won at Perth 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Jul beating Waltz Darling (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Monte Cavallo (SAF) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked winner, ridden after 3 out, every chance next, held last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Professeur Emery (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf.
Canadian Diamond (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd from last until no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 6l behind Taste The Wine (9-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Longwood Lad (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Made all; unchall, won at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gs in Apr '10 beating Anamcqueen (11-7) by 15l, 5 ran.
Pirans Car 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, reminders after 4th, hampered 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 32l behind Franklino (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
The Cockney Mackem (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to challenge when not fluent next, kept on and every chance until no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Wake Your Dreams (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Candelita 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 5th, chased leaders before 3 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Scoglio (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
