In touch, pushed along 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression
led, headed approaching 4th, led again 8th, drew clear after last
mistake first, chased leaders, until outpaced 3 out
towards rear, outpaced 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 5th, outpaced 4 out
prominent, led approaching 4, headed 8th, no extra flat
Nonrunner
MISTER BENEDICTINE is given a tentative vote in a wide open contest, with Vinmix de Bessy and Kirby's Vic others to note. Vinmix de Bessy was highly tried last season and ran with credit on a number of occasions. Despite top weight he is coming down the ratings and is not badly treated. He has a lay off to overcome but cannot be discounted. Kirby's Vic landed successive chases in August and ran a good race when staying on to be second on his latest start. He does look exposed, but he is race fit unlike some of his rivals. Mister Benedictine is given another try over fences, having been a good second on a couple of occasions recently over the smaller obstacles. He was a disappointment on his last start over fences, but he was a winner at Huntingdon last year and looks well handicapped. Mister Benedictine can be lifted by the challenge of the return to the bigger obstacles and may have too much toe for his rivals.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, 6 lengths down and disputing 2nd, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 5l behind Lord Jay Jay (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Overclear 14-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leader, went 2nd 6th to 7th, not fluent and weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cornas (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chase (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Mister Benedictine 20-1 (11-4) Behind, pushed along 6th, no chance when slightly hampered last, 8th of 16, 23l behind Dantari (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Divine Gift 9-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 8l behind Some Touch (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Double The Trouble 11-4fav (10-5) Took keen hold, in touch from 3rd, rider lost iron when weakening approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Soubriquet (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, made most after, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Huguenot (IRE) 7-2fav (10-7) Prominent, led after 5th, headed before 2 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 13l behind Dani's Girl (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Mange Tout (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, raced keenly, reminder after 5th, well beaten 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Lord Jay Jay (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.
