held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders when mistake next, weakened after last
held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out
held up, pushed along approaching 11th, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, led after last, ran on well towards finish
chased clear leader, led 8th, headed 5 out, outpaced from 3 out
in touch, ridden, weakened 2 out
led, clear when hit 2nd, blundered 5th, headed 8th, weakened 10th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, no extra towards finish
Apollo Creed is a progressive horse and can defy another rise in the weights here; the hat-trick seeking Loita Hills and Ghenghis head the list of dangers. Although the handicapper has bumped up Apollo Creed 10lbs to heavyweight, Nigel Twiston-Davies still has a live one on his hands. His win at Perth was comprehensive and having got his confidence back over hurdles, he looks to be a young chaser going places. Ghenghis has solid form in the book; he ran well behind Scalloway at Aintree in June and whilst he has been well-held since, it would be unwise to rule him out. Loita Hills is progressing well, but this step out of Novice company will demand more improvement, whilst Et Maintenant and Ease The Way also have form in the book that means they could be capable of popping up. Urban is one to watch in the betting after some time off the track; he disappointed last time but is better than that however his record is mixed. An open race, but Apollo Creed can land the killer blow.
Loita Hills (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up, smooth headway to track leader 3 out, ridden and led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun beating Newbay Bob (10-6) by 3l, 8 ran.
Ease The Way 50-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, lost touch approaching 7th, stayed on to go poor 3rd when pecked last, 3rd of 11, 26l behind Lord Ryeford (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Urban (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Chased leader and not fluent, ridden 8th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Aleron (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Towards rear, smooth headway from 14th, ridden and led approaching last, driven out, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf beating Catch The Perk (11-7) by 4l, 13 ran.
Genghis (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led and clear to 8th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 22l behind No Complaint (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Et Maintenant (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed 9th, led again 10th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, no chance when blundered last, 5th of 7, 42l behind Gaelic Flight (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Pharviva (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Close up, led after 3rd, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, 9th of 12, 28l behind Eight Fifty Six (10-4) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 frm in Sept.
Rookery Lad 16-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 4th, reminders after 5th, not fluent next, soon struggling, 6th of 7, 36l behind William Butler (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
