held up in touch, lost place 5th, struggling next, lost touch and pulled up after 4 out
tracked leader, led narrowly 5th, hit 3 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed narrowly between last 2, regained lead last, stayed on well under pressure flat
held up in rear in touch, not fluent 3rd, struggling 4 out, tailed off before next
tracked leaders, in touch when not much room 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair before next
led to 5th, pressed winner, lost place and ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off next
held up in touch, tracked leaders after 5th, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly between last 2, not fluent when headed last, no extra and held flat
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon beaten, no chance with leaders
Nonrunner
A few of these are likely to do better when tackling fences. Exitas is definitely one but he hasn't really got anywhere near so far over timber, despite being placed twice at Stratford. DEADLY STING's second to Hawdyerwheesht over course and distance hasn't really worked out but it was probably still a better effort than Silver Shuffle's second at Sedgefield so John Butler's charge gets the nod to go one better. Oldeddietherebel, placed in a bumper on his UK debut, will know his job and can't be left out of calculations.
Bertie Bob 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, tailed off, moderate 3rd, last of 3, well behind Alphabetical Order (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Deadly Sting (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, pushed along and lost place 3rd, headway from 6th, went 2nd when not fluent next, led before 3 out, headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Hawdyerwheesht (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Metal Micky 100-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, lost touch 3rd, tailed off 4 out, last of 6, well behind Street Entertainer (10-12) at Worcester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Oldeddietherebel (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Led, driven and headed 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner over 1f out, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Whatthebutlersaw (10-9) at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gs in Aug.
Shadesofnavy 100-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2nd until next, chased leader, led again briefly 5th, chased leaders, behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mile House (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Silver Shuffle (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Bumped 1st, tracked winner throughout, mistake 2 out, no impression last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Admiral Hawke (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Tims Crusader (IRE) 14-1 (12-2) Ld, jnd 7th & hdd bef 8th, cl 3rd frm 6out & 5th 3out, no impr bef 2out, poor 4th at last & 5th flat, 5th of 14, 29l behind Siobhans Beauty (12-2) at Kinsale 3m ire ptp in May.
Exitas (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Led 1st, clear 4th, mistake 2 out, hung left and headed approaching last, soon beaten, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Iguacu (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jul.