chased leader until 9th, 3rd until before 14th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
soon driven and struggling in rear, ridden along throughout, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led, clear 8th until pushed along after 13th, headed 16th, chased winner after, no impression when lost 2nd soon after last
in touch, ridden along before 14th, went modest 4th at 16th, plugged on same pace from 3 out
not fluent early, in touch, ridden and hit 5th, headway to 3rd before 14th, jumped right after, led 16th, went right last 2, stayed on well
in touch until outpaced 14th, went modest 5th 16th, plugged on from 3 out
soon ridden along to chase leading pair, went 2nd 9th until 15th, stayed in 3rd, rallied and blundered last, went 2nd soon after, no chance with winner
This is not by any means a strong contest and it may be that Nigel Twiston-Davies can have RANDOLPH O'BRIEN ready to win again after a two-year absence. It can be a positive sign when connections persevere with one through a lay-off and this 10-year-old still has a bit of time on his side. The assessor has dropped him back to a very attractive mark of 99 based on his old form, he acts on a sound surface, and he may well be able to see out this trip now getting longer in the tooth and with moderate opposition. One who won't be found wanting for stamina is Chico Time, who has had a short break since going close in a Newton Abbot hurdle. He is respected, while Autumn Red has trip and ground to suit and, while he remains a maiden, he would have to have strong frame claims.
Randolph O'Brien (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Led to 2nd, chased leader until 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 44l behind Go For One (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov '08.
Autumn Red (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) With leader when bumped 1st, prominent, reminders 8th, driven 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 8, 24l behind Feeling Peckish (9-7) at Ludlow 3m am hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
September Moon 25-1 (10-11) Led, headed briefly 12th and reminders, headed approaching next, soon lost place, in rear when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Macs Lad (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct, 6 ran.
Fourpointone 4-1 (11-10) Tracking leaders when went lame and pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Boardroom Dancer (9-7) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Chico Time (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Jumped right, set modest pace, ridden clear after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept battling away, edged left and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Caheerloch (10-11) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Hever Road (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, badly hampered by faller 9th, struggling from next, tailed off 5 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Pistol Basc (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp 0-90 (5) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Overton Lad 12-1 (11-1) Reminder and mistake 1st, with leader until jumped right and bumped 10th, mistake and weakened 14th, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Von Galen (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
