mid-division main group, chased leaders over 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to dispute 3rd from over 1f out, no impression with front pair
chased clear leader (winner), driven and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, gaining towards finish, just held
in touch main group, ridden over 1f out, stayed on in narrow 3rd final furlong, no impression with front pair
behind, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, struggling, over 4f out, never dangerous
in touch main group, reminders 5f out, weakened 2f out
made all, soon well clear, reduced advantage when ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, held on well
Alan King should now be viewed as a good dual-purpose trainer rather than a top jumps handler with a few Flat horses and CHOCALA can oblige for the Barbury Castle yard. The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding returned from a massive 27-month absence to prevail in a four-way photo over course and distance last month and it's reasonable to assume he'll improve for the run off just a 3lb higher mark as long as he doesn't 'bounce.' Wordiness was fourth in that contest and looks the main danger at the revised weights. Gabrial's King also has claims off his lowest mark since mid-2014 and Life Less Ordinary has form claims although he's yet to conclusively prove he stays this far, although he should do so around this ultra-sharp track.
Gabrial's King (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Slowly away towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Cymro (9-12) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Chocala (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway off home turn, ran on to challenge inside final furlong, edged left and rider had loose rein, led close home, won at Chester 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Perfect Summer (9-4) by nk, 11 ran.
Life Less Ordinary (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, hampered over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 8th of 15, 4 3/4l behind Oceane (8-11) at York 2m hcp stks (2) gf in Aug.
Wordiness 16-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, challenged over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home, 4th of 11, 3/4l behind Chocala (10-0) at Chester 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Borak (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Tracked clear pair, close up after 4th, pressed winner after next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in 3rd from last, 3rd of 6, 10 1/4l behind St Saviour (11-5) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Norab (GER) 12-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, soon tracked leader, led over 1f out and ridden, headed inside final furlong, rallied and every chance towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Arty Campbell (9-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
An Fear Ciuin (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Led, soon 5 lengths clear, hard ridden when pressed over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Arthurs Secret (10-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
