led to 6th, pressed leader, led 12th to 14th, left in lead 2 out, stayed on well flat
prominent, reminders after 7th, ridden approaching 11th, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 2nd, hit 6th, 5th and in touch when blundered 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
handy, weakened 3 out
blundered and unseated rider 1st
in touch, blundered badly 8th, mistake 12th, led 3 out, just over 2 lengths ahead when blundered badly 2 out, not recover
towards rear, hampered 1st, not travelling after, pulled up before 3rd
in rear, driven along 13th, headway 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, challenged and every chance soon after, 3 lengths down and held when mistake last
badly hampered 1st, soon prominent, led 6th to 12th, led 14th, headed 3 out, soon beaten
towards rear, in touch when fell 9th
Megaton is taken to land this novice chase at the expense of Arnold Layne and Scarvagh Diamond. The selection was rated 120 over hurdles and is starting to show the same level of ability over fences. He looked a little ring rusty to begin with but last time out at Huntingdon he jumped well in the whole and beat his rival convincingly. With confidence now on his side he looks the type to improve and is worth staying on the right side of. Arnold Layne put in a good staying performance to win at Towcester last time out. He is only lightly raced under rules but has experience in the point to point field which he put to good use last time but a lack of a turn of foot could see him being a little vunerable. Scarvagh Diamond has her debut over fences here but showed signs of ability over hurdles in the for her to warrant respect. She comes from a yard having winners so is worth noting in the betting market. But for the winner we return to Megaton.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Made all, clear 2 out, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Malko De Beaumont (11-7) by 11l, 13 ran.
Ballyboley (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden 6th, led 7th, headed after 2 out, weakening when hit last, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Browneyes Blue (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Caged Tiger 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, driven to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 20, 7l behind Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar '06.
Megaton 9-4 (11-3) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th to 12th and again 15th, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 3m beg chs (4) gf beating Delightful Cliche (10-10) by 2l, 5 ran.
Mr President (GER) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 7th of 12, 28l behind dhtrs Buck Whaley (10-6) & Rayshan (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan '06.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Made all, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Nudge And Nurdle (11-8) by 5l, 17 ran.
Team Leader (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Blundered 1st, behind 9th, mistake 12th, brief effort 14th, 6th of 9, 31l behind Petit Lord (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Willies Way 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until fell at the 13th in race won by Ice Tea (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf in Oct, 6 ran.
Kitty Wong (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) With leader and mistake 1st, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed and mistake 2 out and soon weakened, 4th of 15, 6l behind Sandymac (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Scarvagh Diamond (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Chased leader, led approaching 5th, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Surricate (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
