held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
in rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
prominent, chased winner approaching 4 out until weakened last
made all, driven out
held up towards rear, hit 4th, not fluent next, headway 4 out, blundered last, not quicken flat
in touch, chased winner after last, kept on, always held
Nonrunner
NUDGE AND NURDLE makes most appeal in this handicap chase and he gets the vote over Divine Gift and Glingerbank. The selection ticks plenty of boxes here as he arrives here in good form having won well at Fontwell earlier in the month when he beat Kirby's Vic. His jumping can sometimes let him down but he is well treated at present and he does have a race fitness edge over some of his rivals. Nicky Richards won this race last year with Glingerbank and he is certainly not without a chance. He boasts a fair strike-rate in this sphere and he will get maximum assistance from Tony McCoy in the plate. He unseated his rider the last time he raced over birch but if he is fit enough to do himself on his seasonal return he should not be far away at the finish. Divine Gift has not been seen out since March but he posted a good effort that day at Ascot when he chased home Muhtenbar. He has taken well to fences and he is consistent so it is hard to see him being out of the frame. High Bird Humphrey has only managed to get his head in front once in 20 starts and he can't be backed with confidence, but he does have trip and ground to suit and he has gone well fresh in the past. Camden George can prove best of the others but he is arguably at his best with a bit of juice in the ground. We will therefore stick with Nudge And Nurdle as the pick.
Divine Gift 7-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 4th and 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden before next, no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Muhtenbar (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leader, pushed along and lost place from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Abragante (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul, 9 ran.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Not fluent, held up behind, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 19l behind Native Coral (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Portavadie 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, kept on 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 8l behind Mcmurdo Sound (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Soubriquet (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 11, 14l behind Hello Nod (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Some Touch (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Made all, clear from 4 out, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Euro American (11-5) by 9l, 4 ran.
High Bird Humphrey 5-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th, mistake 6th, closed and in touch 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 14l behind Histoire De Moeurs (10-0) at Aintree 2m nov stks (4) gd in May.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Held up, steady headway approaching 4 out, challenge going well when pecked 2 out, led before last, drew clear flat, eased near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Kirby's Vic (11-4) by 11l, 9 ran.
Camden George (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led, headed 4th, led again 8th until headed 12th, hit 4 out and 3 out and weakened from approaching last, 6th of 9, 27l behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov stks (2) gd in Mar.
Glingerbank (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders when hit 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Political Paddy (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
