mid-division, ridden, weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, led last, driven out
tracked leaders, led briefly 9th, ridden, weakened next
always prominent, led 7th, headed briefly 9th, hit 3 out, blundered, headed last, soon weakened
led, headed 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, no impression from next
close up, led 5th, headed 7th, weakened 3 out
always behind
held up, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
Bella Liana, Fantastico and Astronaut will fight this one out with the vote going to the last named. Wearing cheek pieces and carrying top weight Astronaut had been winning in the pointing field before finishing third of sixteen at Uttoxeter on his return to the National Hunt scene. If improving from that run he will go close and any market moves could prove significant. Bella Liana will pose as the biggest danger after finishing second in each of her last two starts and on each occasion she was not beaten far. She can run well again as can Fantastico who has the ability to win more races but of late has not been producing his best. This looks less competitive than some of his other races so is worth noting. But for the winner we return to Astronaut.
Astronaut 5-2fav (11-1) Held up, headway and mistake 8th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, eased and lost place towards finish, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Idlewild (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gf in Jun.
Fantastico (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Held up, effort after 3 out, soon outpaced, mistake last, kept on flat, 5th of 6, 14l behind Friendly Request (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
One Of Them 25-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, reminders 5th, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 7th of 10, 39l behind King Eider (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (E) gf.
Bella Liana (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden before 2 out, no extra, kept on, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Keevas Boy (11-4) at Sligo 2m 4f mdn hdl gd.
Book's Way 33-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off halfway, 5th of 15, well behind High Peak (10-6) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf.
Test of Faith 33-1 (10-7) Led to 2nd, prominent until weakened halfway, 8th of 15, well behind Beaugency (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) frm in Jul.
The Yellow Earl (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, 2nd after last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Thornton Bridge (9-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf.
Top Pack (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, lost 2nd and no extra flat, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Peter's Imp (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Jul.
