held up in rear, headway when mistake 3 out, switched right and effort 2 out, chance last, one pace run in
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out and last, kept on
refused to race, took no part
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, led and mistake last, ran on well
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten
October Mist is just a tentative selection to beat the likes of Hugo de Perro, Mindanao and Luzcadou. As is usually the case at this time of the year, fitness is at a premium, and as far as this race is concerned, those with the best form are all returning from a break. October Mist had the misfortune to come up against Barton on his chase debut a couple of years ago, and after a fairly fruitless career over the bigger obstacles, has been kept over hurdles for the past year or so. Still reasonably treated compared to the best of his timber form, he lines up on the back of a comeback second on the Flat at Catterick a fortnight ago. Although a bit of rain would have aided his cause, we feel that it is worth taking a chance with Mary Reveley's course and distance winner. Mindanao has obvious claims as well if fit, as she is going the right way over hurdles. A winner at York on the Flat, she really needs soft ground to be seen at her best. Hugo de Perro meets October Mist on less favourable terms after finishing a place behind at Haydock in May, but the stable are in form, while Luzcadou has been off exactly a year, but has worked well at home we hear. He will be going back over fences soon. Mindanao's stablemate Crazy Horse has it to do off topweight, and in a tricky early season handicap, the pin comes down on October Mist.
