led, blunder first, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
held up, hampered 1st, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, jumped left first, unseated rider 3rd
tracked leader when blundered and unseated rider first
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 3rd, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and ran on
Nonrunner
A decent contest for the track and Bar De Ligne may struggle to defy his penalty on his first start since June. Bracken House was well beaten at Carlisle last month and also carries extra while King Of The Night is more exposed than some, though has been highly tried and is sure to appreciate this easier grade. Bear's Affair was sent off favourite at Uttoxeter earlier this month but proved no match for the promising Le Bec. He jumped well, however, and should strip fitter so is preferred to the returning Le Reve but WONDERFUL CHARM won a Grade 2 novice hurdles on his reappearance last year and is clearly useful. He looks a decent chasing prospect and can make a winning start here.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Made most, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Le Bec (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs.
King Of The Night (GER) 16-1 (10-6) Held up behind, headway 4 out, soon chased leaders, disputed 3rd next, kept on same pace, no extra flat, never on terms, 6th of 16, 14l behind Bouggler (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Le Reve (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in 6th, headway 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before last, led last, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Salmanazar (11-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Next Exit (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly next, lost place 9th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Avoca Promise (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, never near leaders, weakened 2 out, 8th of 13, 38l behind Solwhit (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Bar De Ligne (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Made all, ridden clear 3 out, ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jun beating Grandads Horse (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bracken House (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, lost place before 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 7, 36l behind Beeves (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd.
