made all, shaken up after 3 out, soon clear
soon well behind, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
chased winner, ridden after 4 out, no chance from after next
chased leading pair, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten
Roby de Cimbre can see off Pipers Legend. This is an appallingly supported contest and trainers arguments about poor prize money appear misdirected if 10k chases cut up so badly. Rory de Cimbre is no great shakes but he is at least in form and has shown an ability to handle give when trained in France. If he runs up to his figures, he should be difficult to beat. Pipers Legend is rated 109. He was bought in after landing a recent selling hurdle at Uttoxeter on good-to-firm but has failed to trouble the judge on two starts over the larger obstacles. Think Of The Money is rated 90 and really shouldn't be good enough to win this. Cengiz made an exhibition of himself on Sunday before an intended engagement at Southwell and his form figures offer little comfort to potential backers. Hard to get away from Roby De Cimbre and we seek not to.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 11-8fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, keen, 2nd 5th, led after 8th, ridden 2 out, headed, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul beating Orfeo Conti (10-4) by a nk, 5 ran.
Cengiz (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Pressed leader to 5th, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Native City (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Pipers Legend 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Jul beating Nicki Boy (10-12) by 8l, 16 ran.
Think of The Money 16-1 (10-5) Held up, no chance from 5 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Inmate (10-1) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jul, 7 ran.
