in touch, ridden to chase winner when mistake 3 out, no impression from 2 out, mistake last
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
mid-division on outside, mistake 9th, soon struggling
took keen hold, led to 2nd, led 3rd to 5th, not fluent 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, driven after 8th, weakened next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, mistake 2nd, behind from 8th, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, one pace
with leaders, led 2nd to 3rd, led 5th, mistake 7th, soon headed, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off
always prominent, led 8th, cleared throughout, easily
with leaders, led after 7th, headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out
mistake 6th, always behind, tailed off
blundered 5th, not fluent 7th, always behind, tailed off
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Leamington Lad looks to be going the right way over hurdles now but the five-year-old may struggle under his penalty to give weight away to WILLIAM BUTLER, who gets the vote with Robert The Brave rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has shown much-improved form over fences of late and now looks worth chancing back over the smaller obstacles, especially with Evan Williams having his team in good from. Don McCain's Predictive is less exposed than most of these after just six career starts and he has to be respected. Even less exposed is Jonjo O'Neill's New York Minute, who is making his debut today. Well related, he could be of interest if the market speaks in his favour but more solid claims are held by Robert The Brave. Paul Webber's gelding has shown a reasonable level of form on the flat and over hurdles and the four-year-old should again be thereabouts. Marginal preference though is for William Butler.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) In touch, ridden and chased leader 3 out, challenged and pecked 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Sendani (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Robert The Brave 4-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Distiller (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Diktatorship (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) In touch, challenged 3 out, kept on and every chance, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Jomelamin (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl (5) gd in May.
Jack London 200-1 (11-1) Tracked leader until weakened after 6th, 12th of 16, well behind Cruchain (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
King Rocky 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 7th, behind from next, 6th of 9, 43l behind Prince Vector (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Aug.
New York Minute (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of winning bumper Liss Rua.
Pay Up John (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Brinkmanship (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Predictive (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 5th, hampered 8th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Thumbprint (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Royal China (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug beating Granite Man (10-12) by a shd, 16 ran.
William Butler (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) unseated rider in race won by Snoopy Loopy (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Aug, 13 ran.
Converti 100-1 (10-3) In touch, chased leader 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 31l behind Leamington Lad (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Lady Samantha 28-1 (11-0) In touch until weakened over 2f out, 16th of 20, 38l behind Lindeman (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr.
Glenisland 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 13l behind Sorrento Moon (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
