chased leaders, struggling 7th, weakened next
always well behind
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
led, set good pace, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon held
not fluent early, always well behind
not fluent 4th, mistake last, always well behind
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, comfortably
Zilcash and Qrackers stand out as the best options; with the former just getting the nod as the more favourable betting proposition at the likely odds. Ellerslie Tom has taken well to fences and can pick up the pieces should there be any mishaps from the anticipated market leaders. The booking of Tony McCoy (and indeed a couple of pieces of recent form) suggests the six-year-old is the preferred option from the Alison Thorpe yard (they also send out Dishdasha) and he can at least make this a good test. Qrackers is progressing nicely and has already paid his way with a good sequence of results. However, he would not want too much rain to hit the course before the off and, even though he has scope for improvement; he needs to be at the top of his game to get the better of Zilcash. A wily character, Zilcash has really adapted well to chasing and, as he has a touch more experience over fences, the Alan King-trained gelding is taken as the one to be on this time around.
Zilcash 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, headed 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 25l behind Seymour Weld (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Cellarmaster (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Pipers Legend (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Jul, 16 ran.
Dishdasha (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, challenged 8th, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Qrackers (10-7) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Ellerslie Tom 15-8fav (10-12) Keen early, led 2nd, blundered 6th, ridden 2 out, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Premier Dane (10-12) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gf in Jul.
For Laura 8-1 (12-0) Wl bhnd when pulled up in race won by That's My Boy (12-0) at Bratton Down 3m ptp frm in Jun, 9 ran.
Good Control (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 5th 4 out, no extra under pressure approaching 2 out, 9th of 21, 35l behind Roamanob (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdle gf in May.
Qrackers (FR) 1-3fav (10-7) Chased leader, led 9th, shaken up 2 out, quickened clear last, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul beating Dishdasha (11-8) by 10l, 7 ran.
