tracked leading pair, led after 10th, made rest, in command after 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out
led until after 10th, weakened after next, tailed off 14th, unseated rider 3 out
held up in 4th, reminders 3rd, jumped right 7th, headway 11th, 3rd when blundered 4 out, ridden and hit next, kept on one pace
always prominent, driven along from 14th, no chance with winner from after 3 out, stayed on well to hold 2nd
Nonrunner
Of the five runners here two have won over course and distance in the past and it is one of those, STROLLING VAGABOND who gets the verdict and closest competition comes from Deep Pockets and Chuquicamata. A winner over course and distance last time out the selection is in superb spirits of late and is more than capable of following up. The gelding has been steadily progressing this year and looks to have plenty more in the locker. Deep Pockets was a winner at Towcester last time. This was his first win over fences since landing a hunter chase back in 2006. The ground has come right for him now, but a rise in the weights will probably be enough to hold him here. Chuquicamata was pulled up last time but was running well. He has been steadily improving this year and looks capable of making the frame here. Walton Way and Primrose Park will need to put in improved much efforts if they are to figure here so in fairly modest company our selection goes to Strolling Vagabond.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 5-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, stumbled 1st, pushed along 4th, headway 9th, ridden 13th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, led towards finish, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Superrollercoaster (11-10) by nk, 15 ran.
Chuquicamata 6-1 (11-1) Led to 4th, led 5th until approaching 7th, mistake 10th, ridden approaching 13th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Deep Pockets (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 15 ran.
Walton Way 5-1 (10-8) Jumped right, led to 4th, steadily lost place, headway into 5th when jumped right 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 10, 11l behind Strolling Vagabond (10-1) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Always in leading group, led 5th to 10th, led 13th, made rest and stayed on gamely, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Indian Chase (9-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Primrose Park 50-1 (10-3) Never travelling, tailed off and pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Freeze Up (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
