tracked leaders, chased winner 12th, ridden next and weakened
held up in rear, fell 8th
held up, led 8th, hit 9th, clear 13th, well clear 3 out, eased near finish
held up rear, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, lost place 10th, ridden 11th, chased winner again from 13th, no chance
held up, hit 9th and 12th, ridden 5 out, took 3rd 2 out and hit, mistake last
led, jumped slowly and headed 8th, ridden 12th, weakened next
Some in-form horses make this an interesting affair, with High Gear getting the call over, principally, Uncle Mick, Tommy Carson and Idealko. High Gear has looked an improved performer for Jonjo O'Neill in winning his last two races, including off topweight in a handicap at Huntingdon last time. He can make a bold bid here to defy a six-pounds rise in the ratings. Mr Splodge is well-regarded in the Hunter Chase and Pointing spheres and is an interesting opponent, while Tommy Carson has shown that he can win here and he is now back to below a winning mark from last October. He can go well, while Idealko is now just a pound above the mark from which he won at Bangor in May, so is entitled to some respect. Finally, Pangeran is now just a pound above the mark from which he won at Fontwell in August, but that doesn't take into account the fact that he races from out of the handicap. This returns us to to the selection which is High Gear.
Uncle Mick (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 12th, behind, rallied approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, hung left and no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Southerndown (9-9) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
High Gear (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led last, all out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Aug beating End of An Error (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mr Splodge 4-5fav (12-5) won at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gf in May beating Grecian Star (12-5) by 12l, 5 ran.
Idealko (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Held up last, weakened 4 out, last of 5, 27l behind Swansea Bay (11-4) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Aug.
Tommy Carson 14-1 (10-4) Not fluent 1st, led until 9th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 10, 10l behind On The Outside (10-11) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Pangeran (USA) 7-1 (10-9) In rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and outpaced 2 out, went poor 3rd when hung right flat, 3rd of 7, well behind Innisfree (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Aug.
Sunday Habits (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Prominent, pushed along to lead 4th, headed 7th, weakened 13th, 10th of 16, well behind Tudor King (11-9) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf.
Glashedy Rock (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Behind, headway 14th, ridden when mistake 3 out and 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Fearless Mel (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
