held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd before 7th, pushed along before 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, headway before 3 out, one pace in 4th when fell 2 out
tracked winner until before 7th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, lost place 7th, pushed along 5 out, soon lost place
made all, ridden after 2 out, soon clear
Winning bumper Bandit Country made an encouraging debut over hurdles at Chepstow but disappointed when beaten a long way into second at Carlisle and hasn't been done too many favours for his handicap debut. Spanish Arch reverts to hurdles after spending last season over fences where he scored at Market Rasen. He'll probably be back over the bigger obstacles shortly and may just need this. Truckers Darling also has an absence to overcome but she has won here and, with Jack Sherwood's claim to aid her cause, she can go well. Bangkok Pete didn't get the test of stamina he requires last time and should do so here but the vote goes to THE ROAD AHEAD. Peter Bowen puts a visor on the seven-year-old for the first time and, providing the ground doesn't ease further, she can gain her second victory over timber after her success in similar grade at Aintree in May.
Spanish Arch (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, pecked 12th, 3rd and one pace 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Saroque (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Feb.
Bandit Country (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Led 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, plugged on, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Otago Trail (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Truckers Darling (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside when not fluent 4th, not fluent 8th, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, disputing 4th and beaten when blundered last, 6th of 10, 18l behind Bull And Bush (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcap hdle (3) gs in Mar.
Run On Sterling 14-1 (11-5) Led until before 2nd, tracked leader, not fluent 5th or 3 out, soon weakened, well beaten 3rd next, 3rd of 6, 32l behind Brother Tedd (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bangkok Pete (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along before 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 20l behind Barton Stacey (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Aug.
The Road Ahead 7-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, jumped right 4th, headway on outside 9th, one pace and beaten last, 6th of 16, 14l behind Parish Business (10-9) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Rascal (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed after 5th, soon in rear, well beaten before 2 out, 4th of 5, 18l behind Cloonacool (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
