held up, steady headway from 17th, led 3 out, headed soon after last, weakened run in
mid-division until weakened 4 out
in touch when mistake and unseated rider 2nd
prominent until weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 14th, pulled up before 18th
led, hard ridden and headed 3 out, rallied gamely run in
in touch when , mistake and unseated rider 4th
behind, kept on under pressure from 4 out, never nearer
held up and behind, steady headway and not fluent 15th, close up 22nd, mistake 27th, ridden to lead soon afetr last, stayed on well
always struggling in rear
held up and behind, steady headway from 21st, ridden and close up from 2 out, every chance last, not quicken run in
mid-division, mistake 25th, ridden along when blundered 27th, soon struggling
in touch, ridden along from 19th, mistake 21st, soon lost place
prominent until weakened from 25th
prominent, mistake 24th, blundered 26th, outpaced by leaders from 3 out
A very competitive heat, where even though all horses must be schooled over the track before running, raceform over the cross country course is a definite advantage. And where better to start than with last year's winner Lucky Clover. The ten-year-old put up a really gutsy effort to deny Galapiat du Mesnil in last year's renewal, but after a hard race he was pulled up back over course and distance next time and looked exposed after that in handicap company. Recent efforts have not been inspirational, but a look at these fences should spark some sort of renewed enthusiasm, though whether it will be enough to win again is open to question. Galapiat du Mesnil would certainly not be winning out of turn, after being the bridesmaid on three successive occasions over course and distance. he has a handy 6lb pull with Lucky Clover for last year's defeat and is entitled to overturn the form on that basis alone. Also on the plus side is his trainer's form and his ability to run well after a break (he has been off the course since May). Game and genuine, the French-bred gelding just seems to get tapped for toe when the pace starts to quicken and that could again find him out here, but with A P McCoy booked for the ride, he gets the TEAMtalk vote to succeed here at the fourth attempt. There is little else in terms of cross country form to go on, but one that does appeal on his first attempt at the course is Ceanannas Mor. His one length defeat of subsequent Market Rasen summer chase champion Dorans Gold in last year's Charisma Gold Cup reads well, but a 12lb hike up the handicap for that win saw him struggle as a result. He will love the trip and ground, jumps well and goes particularly well fresh, and he is taken to give the selection most to do. There are plenty of other grand old staying types on display here, including Royal Tommy, a soft ground winner at Chepstow last time who would need to find more here, Smarty, second in the 2001 Grand National but best watched at the moment, and General Claremont who will act on the ground and relish the trip, but who again looks like he will need to improve to land this.
