prominent, blundered 2nd, lost place after next, never on terms after, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led, ridden and headed after 8th, beaten in close 4th when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, hampered 2nd, rear when mistake 4th, headway 7th, close 2nd when jumped left 3 out, 3rd when switched right after 2 out, beaten when went left last, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, led last, ridden out
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led after 8th, not fluent 2 out, headed last, stayed on
chased leader until not fluent 4th, remained close up, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 5th, mistake 7th, weakened next, tailed off
towards rear, behind when mistake 7th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, headway 4th, weakened approaching 7th, mistake 8th, tailed off
in touch, jumped right, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
PAGAN SWORD could be tough to peg back and is taken to beat Khazar, Uffa Fox and Ruby Valentine. Rodi Greene's mount has won on the flat and over hurdles and looked for a long way like he might add a chasing success to his tally last time. However, following an error two out he was reeled in by a higher rated runner, but he emerges from that 2m7f event with plenty of credit and the drop back to the minimum could see him hard to pass if given a similarly positive ride, off what seems a fair mark. Khazar merits respect having won at Fontwell two starts back despite struggling their last time. He's been dropped a pound and AP takes over in the plate, so expect a bold show from the horse although perhaps the ground will be a shade quicker than he'd like. Uffa Fox won a Grade Two bumper once upon a time but has had his problems since. That though is reflected in his rating of 93 and if he's ready to roll after a 78-day absence then a bold show is likely, especially if the first-time blinkers work the oracle. Ruby Valentine is well handicapped on last season's winning form but she's been in terrible form over fences lately and can be taken on whilst My Pal Val doesn't look in love with the game at the age of 10 and a tongue-tie may no change that. Red Birr has gone well fresh in the past but ended last season on a low note so we'll side with Pagan Sword.
Paradise Regained (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, last when not flueunt 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 33l behind Blacktoft (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gf.
Morning Sunshine (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, in touch, joint leader 3rd, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by What Happened (9-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar '09, 10 ran.
Uffa Fox (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 8th of 18, 8l behind The Brimmer (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Khazar (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and some headway approaching 4 out, went 4th approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 38l behind Bankstair (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
My Pal Val (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, headway approaching 8th, blundered 12th, went 2nd next, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Thenameescapesme (11-7) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 11 ran.
Pagan Sword 18-1 (10-12) Led, blundered badly 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Baily Storm (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf.
Overspin 22-1 (10-12) Prominent, hit 8th and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Yellow Flag (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 12 ran.
Sahara Prince (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Behind, in 7th and ridden 4 out, plugged on from next, took moderate 4th after last, 4th of 12, 33l behind Yellow Flag (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Held up, behind 7th, left remote 3rd before last, 3rd of 5, 32l behind Treaty Flyer (10-7) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gf in May.
Mustamad 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind New Rackheath (10-6) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Un Autre Espere 66-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Misamon (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Simiola 25-1 (10-0) Chased leader, moved upsides when reached for 3rd and unseated rider, in a race won by Ruby Isabel (11-10) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May, 5 ran.
Red Birr (IRE) 17-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Zorro De La Vega (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
