tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always prominent, blundered 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway to track leading pair approaching 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, weakened last
led to 3rd, chased leaders to 8th, soon behind and pulled up before last
in touch, driven and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, made most after, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner
in touch, headway 8th, tracking leading pair when mistake 9th, challenged and every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up, steady headway approaching 4 out, challenge going well when pecked 2 out, led before last, drew clear flat, eased near finish
not fluent, soon tailed off, always behind
If King Brex is ready for his first start since May then Charlie Mann's gelding would have every chance in this handicap chase but Nigel Twiston-Davies has a strong hand here with NUDGE AND NURDLE preferred to stable companion Kirby's Vic. The nine-year-old disappointed at Worcester last month but earlier form when successful in races at Southwell and Market Rasen gives him every chance and he makes more appeal than Tim Vaughan's Star Shot, who has been well held in his last three starts. Warpath is capable and has dropped to a fair mark but it is hard to back the Evan Williams-trained gelding on recent form. Alison Thorpe's Ouste lacks a recent outing but his trainer is more than capable of getting one ready first time up and the market may give an indication as to whether he is fit for his reappearance. Nudge And Nurdle has shown improved form in recent starts though and he has solid claims off the same mark as when a close second to Max Bygraves at Market Rasen last month.
King Brex (DEN) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th until 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 19l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Warpath (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Made most until headed after 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, 5th of 10, 5l behind Gaelic Flight (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Ouste (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up last, headway after 4 out, went 4th 3 out, one pace, 5th of 10, 8l behind Launde (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Green Gamble 20-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, reminder after next, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lord Jay Jay (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.
O'Toole (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders next, under pressure before 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Overlut (11-10) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, eased, 8th of 13, 32l behind Fit To Drive (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 27l behind Kangaroo Court (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m noc chs (4) gd in Sep.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, challenged last, every chance flat, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Max Bygraves (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Star Shot (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 1st or 2nd, blundered 3rd and 4th, headway 8th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Nesnaas (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
