took keen hold, held up in touch, headway to track leading pair 8th, losing place when pulled up quickly before 14th
never going well in rear, finished tired, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 8th, cleared 14th, ridden 3 out, joined next, soon headed, no impression and lost 2nd approaching last, kept on flat
held up in touch, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, driven to go 2nd before last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, lost place 8th, driven and struggling 12th
held up in touch, headway 14th, chased leading pair from next, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader to 6th, remained handy, went 2nd again 13th, challenged 2 out, soon led, in command well before last, ridden out
started slowly, behind, mistakes 1st and 4th, tailed off when mistake 7th and pulled up before next
led to 8th, tracked leaders to 13th, weakened after next, well behind when tried to refuse 2 out and pulled up
Terramarique, Renvyle and Midnight Gunner are the ones to consider here and Terramarique can see off his rivals. After scoring at Warwick over fences last October, Midnight Gunner has failed to score since. he continues to be consistent, and has been placed in each of his last three starts. However, he may be in the handicapper's grip and may have to settle for a plca again. It was the previous October that Renvyle last tasted success, in a handicap hurdle but a long winless run may be about to end soon on the evidence of his last two starts, where he has finished runner up. However, the winner of his latest contest, Incas, has subsequently let the form down and he is passed over. Terramarique scored over fences at Fontwell in May, and although beaten next time, he has returned to winning form over hurdles, scoring in his last two starts on fast ground. He enjoys similar ground today and Terramarique can resume winning ways over the bigger obstacles.
Mr Splodge 4-1 (11-1) Held up, headway to track leaders 10th, mistake 13th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Darby Wall (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
The Rising Moon (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up, jumped slowly 2nd, not fluent 13th, headway and brought wide approaching 4 out, hung badly left flat, stayed on, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Barren Lands (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Presence of Mind (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Lambrini Bianco (10-6) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, hampered 11th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Rare Society (10-5) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Midnight Gunner 4-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 5th, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Rare Society (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Renvyle (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Held up in rear, jumped slowly 4th, headway 3 out, chased winner before straight, no impression, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Incas (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug.
Terramarique (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Made all, clear approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, pushed out, won at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in Aug beating Memories of Gold (10-2) by 5l, 16 ran.
Wondersobright (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Behind when fell at the 2nd in race won by Penalty Clause (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-88 (5) gf, 9 ran.
