very bold at times, led, mistake and headed 3 out, soon beaten, lost 2nd last
chased leaders, not fluent 11th, hit next, not fluent 14th or 15th, went 2nd after 4 out, great jump to lead 3 out, soon clear, hit 2 out, comfortably
chased leader, not fluent 8th, blundered 10th, not fluent 12, lost 2nd after 4 out, weakened after next, mistake 2 out
mistake 1st, pecked 2nd, soon well behind, tailed off
held up well off the pace, closed slightly 11th, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
It's a different track and a different day, but TOBY JUG certainly caught they eye when winning at Newton Abbot last time and can make the most of just a 6lb rise to follow-up, while Pairc Na Gapall can chase him home. The last-named just looks to be in the grip of the assessor, but he has put in some good efforts from this mark in defeat and trip and ground also suit. If there is a chink in the armour of the favourite then he will probably be the one to take advantage. Whatever Next has acted reasonably well on fast ground, but would definitely prefer it softer to have his best chance of winning, while Pelo Du Brief is simply bang out of form and cannot be trusted at present. Ballyvesey represents a yard in form but will have to show much more than on his chase debut, and we'll side with Toby Jug. The eight-year-old was a ready 14-length scorer last time over 3m 3f, when the ground was plenty quick enough. The 6lb rise should not be a problem if that was anything to go by and he is very much the one to beat.
Pairc Na Gcapall (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Led, headed 11th, remained close up, outpaced 3 out, rallied last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Ellerslie George (10-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sep.
Toby Jug 5-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 4 out, soon headed, led again approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gf in Sep beating Tot Of The Knar (10-11) by 14l, 8 ran.
Whatever Next (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Reminders to soon lead, clear 3 out, idled and stayed on well under pressure on stand's rail inside final furlong, won at Galway 2m 6f beg chase sft in Jul beating Corrick Bridge (11-12) by 2l, 18 ran.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Always behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Skipper's Lad (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 8 ran.
Ballyvesey (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) With leader, pushed along after 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Irish Legend (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
