held up in rear, reminders after 4th, outpaced 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, remote 2nd after last
tracked leader, led 4 out, soon ridden, joined when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
held up in touch and keen, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged when blundered 3 out, left clear
led, blundered 7th, blundered 9th, hit and headed 4 out, left remote 2nd 3 out, weakened at last
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, tailed off from 8th
The five-year-old Goblin has the scope to get the better of Bushido, Lanmire Tower and Enitsag. Goblin has really got the hang of things over fences now, having come good at the fifth attempt at Huntingdon at the start of the month. The step up in trip seemed to help then, but he found the drop back to two-and-a-half miles no hindrance when following up at Worcester just nine days ago, and a 7lb penalty here should not stop him making a bold bid to complete the hat-trick, with trip and ground in his favour. Bushido will improve for his recent return to action at Southwell, but this dual course winner is as high in the handicap as connections would want, while Lanmire Tower is fully a stone out of the weights proper and will do well to figure in the finish. Enitsag has been in good form in hunter chases, but the jury is out as to whether he is up to this. With Richard Johnson to guide him round we will find out here, while Mr Fluffy represents last year's winning trainer but is up against it. Goblin can take this before going on to better things.
Bushido (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along after 4th, soon behind, 9th of 12, 39l behind Siegfrieds Night (10-9) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Mr Fluffy 10-1 (11-2) In rear, mistake 10th, behind when pulled up in race won by Celtic Boy (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf, 11 ran.
Goblin 6-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Multeen River (11-12) by 3l, 8 ran.
Enitsag (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Led, headed 1st, led again 8th, clear 4 out, not fluent last, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in May beating Magicien (11-3) by 14l, 8 ran.
Lanmire Tower (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 12th, no danger after, 5th of 8, well behind Dumadic (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
