prominent, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, weakened 9th
chased leaders, went 2nd mistake 7th, ridden and every chance when mistake 2 out, ran on to lead towards finish
mid-division, lost place 6, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
held up, headway after 6, ridden when not fluent 8th, weakened next
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and no extra towards finish
in touch, pushed along after 6, lost place 9th, kept on to take moderate 3rd after 3 out
mid-division, ridden and headway 9th, weakened after 3 out
always behind
The three top weights Just Different, Newsplayer and Treaty Stone look the main contenders here with the tentative selection going to the last named. Still a maiden after five runs Treaty Stone we feel has his best opportunity of breaking his duck this time around. The fact that he is still very much unexposed and although limited in his ability he ran well enough when third in a novice event at Worcester last time out to suggest that a win is only around the corner so he is worth keeping on the right side of. Newsplayer came back after nearly two years off when pulling up two out at Plumpton last time out. We cant forget that his wins at Newton Abbot and Sedgefield two years ago would be good enough to win this but he may need another outing for fitness. Just Different has his first run for Pat Murphy since winning at Clonmel in Ireland last time out. It remains to be seen how that form has worked out and as his form prior to his win was moderate he is to be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Treaty Stone.
Take The Stand (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, hit 12th, struggling when hit 20th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Joes Edge (9-11) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Apr, 20 ran.
Xellance (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon behind, 8th of 16, 11l behind Goblet of Fire (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Aug.
Sully Shuffles (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 7th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind River Alder (9-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in May.
Cameron Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, joined leader 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, 25l behind Tamango (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Aug.
Mister Arjay (USA) 12-1 (10-2) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Kasthari (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.
Cannon Fire (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 3l behind Tomenoso (11-12) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Gaelic Roulette (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Pilca (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 28l behind Downing Street (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jul.
