in touch, reminders 3rd, weakened 8th
mid-division, weakened 11th
led, headed 8th, weakening when hampered on bend after 11th
tracked leader, lost place 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to lead approaching last, ridden out
towards rear, brief effort 9th, behind when pulled up before 13th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, keen hold mid-division, steady headway 9th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, ran on to chase winner last, just held
in rear, hit 5th, ridden and weakened 13th
tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, finished lame
A competitive looking handicap this one, with Lough Rynn selected to get the better of Rich Nomad and City Breeze, but none of them can be immediately eliminated. Lough Rynn has been consistently placed when chasing, and could finally break his maiden here under rules, racing off one of his lowest ever marks. Two seconds and a win when point to pointing have encouraged a return to National Hunt Robert Thornton's on board, and he's got a good strike record with trainer Richard Lee. Rich Nomad looks to be getting the hang of the game after making the frame in her last two starts, following 14 unplaced efforts. City Breeze has course and distance winning form in the locker, but since that success a year ago has always found some too good. So from a field with a number of chances, we'll side with Lough Rynn.
City Breeze (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 11th, ridden after 13th, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 11l behind Annie Fleetwood (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Ask Oscar (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 9th and 11th, weakened 13th, 6th of 10, 29l behind Annie Fleetwood (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Guerabad (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Led, mistake 1st, headed 4th, mistake 12th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 13, 23l behind Keepitsecret (11-6) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Bright Green 12-1 (10-9) Held up, not fluent 7th or 12th, ridden after 12th, headway approaching 4 out, soon close up, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 17l behind Apollo Creed (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Fairlight Shadow (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Always towards rear, lost touch quickly after 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Captain Becket (10-5) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 7 ran.
Masterpoint 66-1 (10-7) Held up, jumped slowly 6th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Ocean du Moulin (11-4) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd.
Rich Nomad 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, chased winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Ballinruane (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Lough Rynn (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased winner from 2 out until after last, no extra, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Ballinruane (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Festival King (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up and keen, steady headway 10th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 15, 41l behind Ballinruane (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Baileys Best 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 28l behind Cee Cee Rider (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Cleverality (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Led after 2nd, soon headed, remained handy, lost place approaching 7th, hung left and stayed on flat, 4th of 10, 12l behind Charge It (11-3) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
