rear mid-division, not fluent 13th, pushed along and weakened quickly 2 out
towards rear, hit 10th, stayed on, never on terms
disputed lead, led 3rd, headed 8th, remained close up, ridden after 3 out, held by winner from 2 out, kept on
tracked leaders, mistake 11th, ridden before 3 out, plugged on same pace
chased leaders, led 8th, headed 4 out, soon pushed along, kept on one pace
chased leaders, jumped left 10th, went 2nd at 12th, led 4 out, good jump 3 out, shaken up and in command after 2 out, ran down left final fence, stayed on, readily
in rear, reminders after 4th, well behind and pulled up after 9th
disputed lead, headed and tracked leader 3rd, hit 7th, dropped to rear 8th, lost touch 11th
Veteran High Counsel keeps churning out the victories but was pulled up when last seen here in July. Flying Verse needs a thorough test of stamina and fast ground and has become hard to place but Easkey Lad is improving with experience. An Marcach was second when favourite for a small race over course and distance in May but ROYAL PRACTITIONER gives the impression he might have more to offer over fences stepping up to 3m.
Present Chief (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened home turn, never in contention, 7th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Judge Earle (11-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Royal Practitioner 8-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, some headway after 12th, mistake 4 out, weakened next, mistake 2 out, 5th of 7, 17 3/4l behind Judge Earle (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Flying Verse 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, led 5 out, headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 16 3/4l behind Minella Voucher (10-13) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
An Marcach (IRE) 13-8fav (10-6) Jumped left in last pair, not fluent 3 out, kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Shentri (12-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
High Counsel (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on outside, closed 6th, lost place after 10th, well behind 4 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Easkey Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Led early, headed and remained prominent 2nd, went clear with leader from 9th, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Special Buddy (10-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Willcollins (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden along before 4 out, soon outpaced, pulled up, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Shanroe Smooch (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed 16th, headed next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 29 1/4l behind Minella Voucher (10-13) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
