made all, clear 3 out, ridden and stayed on
mainly tracked winner until outpaced 4 out, rallied to chase winner again after 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
keen held up in touch, headway after 6th, chased winner 4 out until after 2 out, kept on one pace
keen tracked leaders, lost place 7th
in touch, jumped slowly first, lost place 7th, pulled up 4 out
Several interesting contenders are due to face the starter here including Rev It Up, who stayed on strongly to score over this trip at Chepstow last month. He won't find this easy under a penalty, however, as Knighton Combe has plenty of experience and won a Listed handicap over fences at Uttoxeter when last seen in June. Ardkilly Gunner beat Mountainous in a point-to-point at Dromahane a year ago and his C&D second to the race-fit Miss Kalifa earlier this month was a decent first effort over timber. He should beat his old rival again but we'll take a chance on the fitness of HERDSMAN, whose run behind Tornado Bob at Uttoxeter last season worked out well - he should win plenty of races this season.
Rev It Up (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, led again 7th, headed 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to lead clos home, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Dualla Lord (11-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Ardkilly Gunner (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch on outside, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 12l behind Miss Kalifa (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Herdsman (IRE) 13-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 4 out, 8 lengths down in 2nd when blundered 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Tornado Bob (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Knighton Combe 16-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 11th, challenged 3 out, led last, kept on well run-in, won at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun beating Ballyvesey (10-8) by 8l, 17 ran.
Mountainous (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, strongly challenged 2 out, headed last, hung left under pressure, no extra, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Beneficial Reform (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Romeo Desbois (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Pressed leader until ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 15, 30l behind Rudanphast (11-8) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Aug '10.
Jemma With A J 150-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, jumped left 2nd, not fluent next, weakened after 5th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 45l behind Peckhamecho (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
