held up towards rear on inside, pushed along 4 out, blundered next, behind and no chance after, eased, tailed off
towards rear, headway on outside after 3 out, blundered and weakened 2 out
led at strong pace, joined 2 out, headed soon after, chased leaders until weakened approaching last
mistake 1st, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders before next, weakened soon after 2 out
in touch in 5th, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, led and edged right before last, narrowly headed flat, rallied gamely to lead again final 120 yards
mid-division, weakened after 5th
chased clear leading pair, dropped to 4th after 5th, still pressing leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 2 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden to chase winner before last, driven to narrow lead narrowly flat, headed and no extra final 120 yards
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, smooth headway on outside approaching 2 out, led 2 out, headed before last 2, weakened flat, just held on for 3rd
always behind, ridden and struggling after 5th, tailed off
chased leader, challenged 4 out, chased leaders until weakened soon after 2 out
chased leading trio, tracked leading pair after 5th, still pressing leaders 2 out, no extra flat, kept on to press for 3rd closing stages
always behind, never involved, tailed off
Elsafeer has the best recent form of these having won his last two starts at Worcester and Kempton. But this is a marked step up in grade with Topolski, successful in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April and still unbeaten over timber, heading the weights. Nearby looks worth opposing again, however, having looked very one-paced back over hurdles behind Pepe Simo at Kempton and it would be no surprise if fourth Via Galilei reversed that form today on much better terms. Drill Sergeant is a tough sort, while Katies Tuitor isn't badly treated on his best form but we're going to concentrate on a clutch of talented four-year-olds today. Kumbeshwar held his own in top-class company after winning at Sandown in February, finishing in the money at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. He deserves to land a decent prize but Colin Tizzard holds THIRD INTENTION in high regard and he can make a winning reappearance. The Azamour gelding finished ahead of both Brampour and A Media Luz in the Triumph Hurdle and can improve again this winter if settling better.
Topolski (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up behind and keen, headway before 2 out, ridden after last, led final 100 yards, held on well towards finish, won at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Oilily (10-11) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Nearby 13-8fav (11-8) Led, clear straight away, mistake 2nd, reduced advantage when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed before last, beaten and one pace, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Pepe Simo (11-8) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd.
Kumbeshwar 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, strongly pressed entering straight, headed under pressure approaching last, soon no chance with winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Grandouet (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in May.
Third Intention (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Settled last, smooth headway to track leaders travelling well 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led last, ridden and quickened clear flat, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Higgy's Ragazzo (10-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Brampour (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader 2nd, hit 4th, not fluent next, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 9th of 13, 24l behind Topolski (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Katies Tuitor 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 2 out, 10th of 23, 33l behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar '10.
Drill Sergeant 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden before next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 18l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Via Galilei (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Held up in 3rd, closed 3 out, ridden before next, soon beaten, weakened last, last of 4, 24l behind Pepe Simo (11-8) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd.
A Media Luz (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear and keen on outer, headway before 3 out, weakened before last, 10th of 13, 28l behind Topolski (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Harry Tricker 13-2 (11-8) Tendency to jump right, held up last and well off the pace, never on terms with leading trio, tailed off and eased from 4 out, blundered last, last of 4, dis behind Mamlook (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Elsafeer (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden after 2 out, pressed last, stayed on, won at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gd beating Rajnagan (11-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Baracas (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Led, headed and no extra from before 2 out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Princeton Plains (11-1) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep.
Tarkari (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, ridden and one pace, 5th of 15, 14l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
