close 3rd, went 2nd before 3rd until 5th, led before 7th, strongly pressed after last (normal 2 out), headed final 75 yards, stayed with strong challenge, led again on nod post
led, jumped left 4th, headed before 7th, soon beaten
held up in touch, closed 6th, went 2nd before last (normal 2 out), led final 75 yards, strongly pressed, headed on nod post
tracked leader until before 3rd, challenged before 7th until approaching last (normal 2 out), soon outpaced
held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, went 4th after omitted last, never on terms
tracked leaders, pushed along after 7th, soon outpaced
mid-division, fell 2nd
held up in rear, slightly hampered 2nd, headway after 7th, went 3rd last (normal 2 out), no impression on leading pair
Noble Friend is well treated compared to his chase rating while Uptendownone should be placed to good effect this winter. But he lacks a recent run, as does Mantou who disappointed at Warwick in January after making a winning debut at Catterick. Byron Blue should be thereabouts again but this looks a big ask for Zarawi and Taylor needs to bounce back from a shocking effort at Uttoxeter in May. Welcometothejungle has won at Uttoxeter and Southwell this summer but it should be worth following LOW KEY (NAP) now he's got his head in front. David Pipe's gelding is still unexposed over hurdles and looks the type to land a decent handicap in the months ahead.
Low Key (IRE) 8-11fav (11-1) Chased leader, led 2 out, soon clear, easiily, won at Stratford 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Buy Me Out (10-8) by 19l, 9 ran.
Byron Blue (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Raced keenly, led set decent pace and soon clear, mistake 9th, reduced lead before 2 out, headed before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Miss Serious (11-8) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Mantou (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed from 3rd, 2nd when hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Ultimate Act (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Welcometothejungle 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd and next, headway after 3 out, led between last 2, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Aug beating What A Jewel (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zarawi (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up, headway chasing leaders approaching 2 out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Royal Battalion (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Taylor (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Led, headed before 7th, soon weakened, 8th of 9, dist behind Highpower (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Uptendownone (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Prouts Pub (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Noble Friend (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind I'dliketheoption (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Aug.
