held up, headway 13th, chased winner before 3 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat
led to 3rd, led 4th to 6th, remained prominent, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up
held up, mistake 10th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
always prominent, led 12th, ridden 2 out, driven out
led 3rd to 4th, led 7th until after 9th, weakened after 12th, tailed off
held up, not fluent 11th or 13th, headway approaching 3 out, 3 lengths 4th and ridden when blundered 2 out, weakened approaching last
tendancy to jump left, held up, headway 12th, not fluent 13th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, one pace flat
with leaders, led 6th to 7th, led after 9th until 12th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
mistake 2nd, always behind, lost touch 13th, tailed off when pulled up
Englishtown, Mr Ed and Cruising River look the main protagonists in another tight affair and the tentative nomination is given to Englishtown. The selection was a fair second off this mark behind Liverpool Echo last time out and under similar conditions here he looks the one to be on. Mr Ed rates the main danger as he is thrown in on his best form and was a fair second behind Fourty Acers last time. However, he looked far from genuine under pressure and is taken on with this in mind. Cruising River is another that could go well on his best form. He should appreciate this shorter trip and he should be watched in the market. Out The Black has dropped to a handy mark and has his ground so he could go well at a price but for the winner we are happy to return to Englishtown in the hope that he puts in a fluent round of fencing.
Bronzesmith 50-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Tribal Venture (10-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
On The Outside (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led 9th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 12, 10l behind Rabbit (10-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Mr Ed (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd approaching 13th, closing on winner when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 2l behind Fourty Acers (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) frm.
Out The Black (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) In touch, outpaced and mistake 5 out, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 17, 8l behind Alderburn (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Cruising River (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fountain Crumble (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Sir Brastias 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders in 4th, driven along and outpaced after 4 out, 4th of 7, 12l behind Always Waining (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Englishtown (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Jumped mostly left, mid-division, headway 8th, hit 3 out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Liverpool Echo (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Cloudland (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, jumped well 2 out, pressed from 2 out, ridden and caught near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Hibernian (11-3) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
