tracked leader, hit 9th, every chance 4 out, 2 lengths 3rd when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, clear 2 out, ran on well
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway after 9th, mistake 4 out, 4th and weakening when fell 2 out
jumped left, raced freely, led to 3 out, soon beaten, hung right and lost 2nd flat
took keen hold, held up in last, lost action and pulled up before 3rd
chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, jumped left 3rd, weakened after 9th, tailed off
chased leaders, hampered 2nd, lost place when hampered next, behind from 6th, left poor 4th 2 out, mistake last, tailed off
Henry Daly's Thievery could be of interest on his reappearance having been dropped a couple of pounds since his most recent start having won first time out last season but he may be a shade high in the weights and preference is for the in-form ZORRO DE LA VEGA, who gets the vote ahead of Phoenix Eye. The Michael Mullineaux-trained gelding has been running well over hurdles of late and has to be respected back over fences off a lower mark than he is currently rated over timber. New Rackheath disappointed when pulled up on his debut for Evan Williams over hurdles at Exeter earlier this month but his form over fences was solid for his previous stable and he has to be considered back over the larger obstacles. Colliers Court has a bit to find with the selection on running here last time and of more interest may be Richard Lee's Rapide Plaisir, who has run to a consistent level of form. It is hard to get away from Zorro De La Vega though with Sarah Humphrey's gelding having won his last two starts with plenty in hand and he can complete a hat-trick and defy the 7lb penalty for his latest success at Fontwell.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, raced keenly, went 3rd 4th, closed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 30l behind Glengarra (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (5) gf in Aug.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up, chased leaders approaching 8th, went 2nd 5 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Morestead (10-10) by 7l, 8 ran.
No Supper (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 31l behind Fujin Dancer (10-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Colliers Court 13-2 (11-12) Led, jumped slightly right 6th, headed when not fluent 8th, beaten before 3 out, 6th of 10, 24l behind Zorro De La Vega (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Phoenix Eye 11-2 (10-11) Held up, raced keenly, well off the pace until 3rd, headway 8th, challenged 2 out, every chance flat, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Le Corvee (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Thievery 4-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, raced keenly, jumped slowly 8th, mistake 4 out, effort but still moderate 7th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 9, 12l behind Miss Pross (11-11) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Red Birr (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, mistake 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Zorro De La Vega (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
New Rackheath (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Wujood (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 11 ran.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 16-1 (10-7) Chased winner until approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Rampant Ronnie (11-4) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
