always behind
tracked winner, effort 3 out, ridden next, weakened last
made all, driven clear 2 out, ran on strongly
always behind
held up mid-division, slow 4th and 5th, soon ridden, beaten
held up, never dangerous
tracked winner, every chance 4 out, under pressure approaching 2nd last, stayed on same pace
in touch, outpaced 4 out, headway after 2nd last, not fluent last, stayed on well flat
Nonrunner
Few of these come into the contest in great form and Donovan will be popular in bidding for a hat-trick but he is opposed with Fu Manchu, who is unexposed over fences, while Waterspray and Espoir Du Bocage can also go well. Fu Manchu begins his chasing career pitched straight into handicap company and that move from Jonjo O'Neill would suggest that the trainer thinks his charge is on a handy mark. He runs from the same rating of 108 as he last raced over hurdles, and as he always looked like one who would do better over the larger obstacles he can get it right first time. Donovan has scored at both Bangor and Cartmel on his past two starts, but he has gone up 15lb as a result and his form does not look good enough to defy his latest rise, so he is taken on. Espoir Du Bocage has to give weight away all around but if the rains stay away then he should be closely involved if he can reproduce his last run, while the same goes for Waterspray, but Fu Manchu looks the one to be on.
Espoir Du Bocage (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 9th, headway 3 out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Avesomeofthat (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Sunley Shines 11-2 (10-12) Led to 4th, led again 7th, headed 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Majorca (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) frm in Aug.
Waterspray (AUS) 10-1 (11-8) Led and set good pace, headed briefly 3 out, ridden and headed last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Dad's Elect (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Smokey Mountain (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Double Deputy (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Theocritus (GER) 11-2 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden 7th, plugged on for poor 4th, 4th of 15, 39l behind Mighty Fine (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jul.
Return Home 9-2 (11-12) Led after 1st, headed 2nd, led again 6th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 12l behind Drumossie (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jul.
Dalriath 22-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 13, 35l behind Own Line (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Think of The Money 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, one pace from 6th, 6th of 10, 11l behind Dad's Elect (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Fu Manchu 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Airgusta (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug '06.
Donovan (NZ) 8-1 (11-3) Held up and behind, not fluent 8th, headway 3 out, slightly hampered last, ran on well to lead last strides, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Aug beating Lusaka De Pembo (11-2) by a hd, 11 ran.
