prominent, headway and chased leader approaching 3 out, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace
held up last, ridden and headway to go 2nd approaching 2 out, ran on well from last not pace of winner
pulled early, towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
ridden 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, good headway to lead approaching 2 out, pushed clear approaching last, ran on well flat, comfortably
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway on bit after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken
chased leader, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
led to after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly
Gold Guest can bounce back from a recent fall to land the finale, with Kentucky King, Alekhine and Jack Durrance all out to stop him. David Evans does well with the few animals that he sends over timber, and indeed Gold Guest has already proven his worth over the obstacles by making a winning debut under Robert Thornton at Newton Abbot in July. After a spell on the Flat, he looked all set to add to his tally when cruising into the lead at Uttoxeter last month, but he took a crashing fall at the ninth flight. A prolific winner on the level, he should be set for compensation here with Thornton back in the plate, and the shorter trip likely to be in his favour. Kentucky King is yet to open his account over hurdles and appeared a bit reluctant to get going at Fontwell on his latest outing last month. Alekhine has struggled since making a winning debut on the Flat at Doncaster two years ago, but his jumping has improved bit by bit since joining Philip Hobbs, so he has some scope, while Jack Durrance has more to do than when winning a claimer for today's pilot at Newton Abbot in August. If he avoids a blunder today, Gold Guest is the one to beat.
Kentucky King (USA) 4-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, blundered 3 out, ridden and not quicken from 2 out, 4th of 9, 5l behind Roman Candle (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Gold Guest 5-1 (11-5) Held up pulling hard, headway to lead 4th, clear approaching 7th, clear when fell 4 out in race won by Thedublinpublican (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Sept, 8 ran.
Rojabaa 7-1 (10-8) Led after 1st, headed after 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Bajan Girl (10-3) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in Sept '04.
Jack Durrance (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 7th of 14, 13l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Sept.
Nesnaas (USA) 15-2 (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, no further progress, 6th of 16, 13l behind Sunnyland (10-11) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Sunset King (USA) 13-2 (10-2) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 23l behind Roman Candle (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Alekhine (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, went left 3rd, headway after 5th, hit next, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 24l behind Buena Vista (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jun.
Salim 33-1 (10-9) Held up, hit 2nd, tailed off 8th, poor 4th when fell 5 out in race won by Young American (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f beg chs (E) gf in Jul '04, 5 ran.
Prince Minata (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Led and soon clear, ridden 3 out, weakening when headed approaching last, 6th of 13, 9l behind Honan (10-10) at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Sept.
