held up in last pair, headway after 5 out, switched inside to chase leader approaching 3 out, switched right between last 2, challenged last, ridden and stayed on to lead flat
with leaders on inside, lost place approaching 14th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
chased leaders, under pressure when hampered 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led to 5th, remained prominent, hampered 5 out, chased leader before next until 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression from 2 out
in touch on outside, reminder 13th, lost place 17th, behind from 5 out, soon pulled up
held up in touch, headway on outside when left 2nd 5 out, lost place before next, 2 lengths down in 3rd when blundered 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with leading pair approaching last
held up in last pair, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th and ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
with leader, led 5th, not fluent 16th, ridden before 2 out, edged left between last 2, soon hard pressed, headed flat, no extra
in touch on inside, pushed along 14th, challenged 17th, with leader when blundered and unseated rider 5 out
in touch, driven and outpaced after 5 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
Three and a half miles on good ground over the amended fences is not the test it used to be but those heading the weights still have plenty to do. However, Neptune Equester continues to give the impression that he could turn into a really useful chaser but is still unproven over this trip having failed to produce his best in the Scottish National. Expect a good run all the same. A chance is taken with EYRE SQUARE, beaten three and a half lengths by Morning Moment here last time on good ground over three miles. The Reveley gelding is now 5lb better off and with stamina assured is a value option to reverse placings and land this decent prize. Morning Moment's sound jumping should serve him in good stead once again, whilst Gurtacrue is totally unexposed over fences and You Know Yourself, a good winner last time at Carlisle, should give a good account for the in-form Sue Smith team.
Neptune Equester 13-2 (10-7) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Benny Be Good (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Led 1st until 3rd, prominent, lost place 14th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Templer (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
According To Pete 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway17th, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Bescot Springs (10-5) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
You Know Yourself (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Led, headed 4th, led again narrowly 3 out, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs beating Hockenheim (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Star Beat 9-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, blundered 11th, soon lost place, 6th of 10, 49l behind Bescot Springs (10-5) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Gurtacrue (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, moderate 5th, 5th of 11, 13l behind Ace High (11-4) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Eyre Square (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, left 4th 10th, headway 14th, challenged 4 out until 3 out, held by winner flat, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Morning Moment (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Morning Moment 10-1 (11-5) Made all, left clear 10th until 14th, pressed 4 out until next, edged left flat, driven out, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct beating Eyre Square (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Jaunty Journey 6-1 (11-5) Led, headed before 6th, tracked leader, led 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 27l behind Horsham Lad (10-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Seize 3-1 (11-1) Tracked winner, jumped slowly early, lost 2nd and ridden approaching 13th, outpaced before 4 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Indian Pipe Dream (11-9) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Aug.
