behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leader 11th, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up behind, headway 12th, went 2nd 4 out, led next, drew clear between last 2, comfortably
tracked leader, lost place 11th, ridden and stayed on approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
mid-division on inside, headway 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
chased leaders to 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division on outside when fell 9th
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and weakening when mistake next
chased leaders, pushed along 9th, soon lost place, behind from 12th
Devondale looks destined to keep better company than this as he progresses and we will forgive him his blunder last time and take him to beat Jour De Mee, Alfy Rich and Loy's Lad. The Ferdy Murphy-trained selection won well at both Hexham and Newcastle last month, and conditions suit here. Although three miles perhaps suits him better, this will prove a test of his undoubted stamina and we take him to jump round again and make it three from four. Jour De Mee looks of some interest for Heather Dalton. He managed to climb the Towcester hill to win over a similar trip and in soft ground in the spring, though he desperately needed his comeback outing and will strip fitter here. Whether he can cope with the 10lb rise for that Towcester success we don't yet really know. Alfy Rich was thrashed by Devondale at Hexham and although better is anticipated he still has plenty to find, while although Loy's Lad won last time out, a 5lb rise, dodgy jumping and a penchant for better ground mean we will look elsewhere this time. For us Devondale looks an improver and he can take the prize.
Tyndarius (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Behind, pushed along 11th, soon struggling, tailed off from 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind Lothian Falcon (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov.
Loy's Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Sept beating Risky Way (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Captain Mac (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Towards rear early, closer in 4th 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 9, 40l behind A New Story (9-8) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Nov.
Devondale (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Stumbled and unseated rider in race won by Almire Du Lia (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Jour de Mee (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden when hampered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Hiers De Brouage (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Classic Lash (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nick The Silver (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
Ornella Speed (FR) 8-1 (9-12) In rear, tailed off from 7th, mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Lanaken (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov, 9 ran.
Nomadic Blaze 20-1 (11-3) Led, headed 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Theatre Knight (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Arctic Cherry (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Led to 2nd, chased leader, led again 8th, ridden, headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Miss Shakira (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Benefit 28-1 (11-0) Behind from 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Bang And Blame (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (F) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Alfy Rich 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, headway under pressure after 4 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 9, 38l behind Devondale (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 13th, chased leaders next, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 11, 16l behind Reverse Swing (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Moss Bawn (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) In touch, pushed along 10th, outpaced after 4 out, 4th of 9, 43l behind Devondale (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
