held up, headway to lead 4 out, driven out from last
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, never trouble leaders
led, just headed when unseated rider 14th
prominent, led 14th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on flat
LIBERATE appears to have come right back to his best and made a winning start to his chase career at Worcester in June after winning a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock. A recent run on the Flat will have blown away any cobwebs and Philip Hobbs' gelding is difficult to oppose here. Tim Vaughan saddles course winner Khoum and Uttoxeter second Definite Dawn, but Cottage Oak may be a bigger danger if replicating last month's second at Limerick. Bob's Ticket has won between the flags but appears to have plenty to do on his first start over fences under Rules.
Cottage Oak (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Prominent, 3rd when slight mistake 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Serve Time (11-2) at Limerick 2m 6f nov chs gd in Jul.
Liberate 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 10th, led narrowly 10th, went right last 3, driven and in command before last, won at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun beating Stage Acclaim (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Bob's Ticket (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Tracked leader until 2 out, jumped right and weakened, 5th of 7, 27l behind Brave Beauty (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.
Definite Dawn (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Led, hit 4 out and headed, hit 2 out and well held by winner after, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Gan On (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Jul.
Khorun (GER) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, looked held after last, kept on well to lead last 50 yards, won at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Jul beating Fool's Wildcat (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
