held up, headway 6th, led 12th, clear approaching 2 out, eased flat
held up in touch, headway 13th, hung left from 15th, soon weakened
soon pushed along, always behind, bumped 8th, no chance from 12th
prominent, led 9th, blundered and headed 12th, weakened 15th, pulled up after 16th
held up, headway approaching 15th, every chance 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, lost place and bumped 8th, behind from 13th, pulled up before 16th
led to 9th, prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, not fluent 2nd, hit 9th and 14th, outpaced approaching 16th, rallied 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
An interesting handicap chase that sees Jonjo O'Neill-trained Around Before return to the bigger obstacles and he can make a winning reappearance under Tony McCoy, with Benrajah and Proper Squire perhaps his main dangers. Around Before runs in the tongue strap that saw a marked improvement in form from him last season, with two seconds and four wins after having the strap applied in July. A proven fast ground performer, he comes that a yard that continues to go well, gives every indication that he will get this extreme trip, and has the assistance of the champion from the saddle, so he is taken to defy a weight rise and score. Benrajah is a likeable sort who goes well over marathon distances like this. Running from the same mark as when second to Hallywards Gael at Kelso last time, he still has a chance this time around, but may just find the concession of 5lb to the selection a bit much. Of the others, Proper Squire is due for a 1lb drop but can still run well off top weight. Charlie Mann's gelding handles a sound surface well, stays forever and just seems a bit one paced, and that may find him out again. For the winner then, we return to Around Before.
