led, headed after 1st, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
started slowly, tailed off and pulled up before 4th
tracked leader, led after 1st, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear and brought down 1st
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened last
always in the rear
always prominent, led 3 out, clear last, ran on
hampered 1st, mid-division, ridden 5th and soon weakened
always in the rear
mid-division, jumped right 5th, headway 2 out, stayed on
Otage De Brion has a bright future, and can pay to support ahead of Red Birr, Shore Thing, Toastmaster and Amber Brook. Charlie Longsdon is a young trainer going places, and Nicky Henderson's former assistant is sure to have prepared Otage De Brion well for his return. The French import did nothing wrong when scoring at Plumpton in May, gaining an easy win in the colours of Sir Robert Ogden, and looks booked for further success here, with conditions not seen as a problem. Red Birr has to prove that he stays really, but he does line up with a recent victory on the Wolverhampton Polytrack to his credit. Shore Thing was a winning stayer on the Flat, and his trainer does well when sending them jumping, so he is one to follow later if not today, and Toastmaster is well-bred for the winter game. Amber Brook's stable is flying, so he too goes on the short-list, but Otage De Brion is the one to beat, with Tony McCoy doing the steering.
Gallant Hero 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 24l behind Scutch Mill (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Balfour House 100-1 (9-10) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, 33l behind Top Tiger (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol (Flat).
King's Fable (USA) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 36l behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Lyricist's Dream 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, weakened after 5th, 5th of 15, 18l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Melvino 13-2 (9-2) Steadied start, took keen hold in mid-division, driven along over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Kilimandscharo (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Mr Belvedere 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, hampered 2 out, 6th of 10, 49l behind Notre Cyborg (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Red Birr (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Held up, brief effort 5th, weakened quickly next, last of 8, well behind De Soto (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Secret Cavern (USA) 200-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Sliotar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept, 14 ran.
Sheikhman (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, 46l behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Star of Canterbury (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 12, 46l behind Elusive Dream (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Toastmaster (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, some headway 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 14, 22l behind The Sliotar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Amber Brook (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 14l behind Kia Kaha (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Lucky Find (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Prominent, weakening when mistake 7th, 11th of 16, 28l behind Kia Kaha (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Tiegs (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) In touch, mistake 3rd, ridden and every chance when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Zamboozle (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf, 12 ran.
Otage De Brion (FR) 15-2 (11-2) Tracking leaders and always going well, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May beating Ohana (10-2) by 9l, 12 ran.
Shore Thing (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened, last of 11, well behind Magicalmysterytour (9-9) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug (Flat).
