held up, headway approaching 7th, challenged after 11th, mistake 4 out, mistake and beaten last
prominent, led 7th, ridden and headed last, weakened flat
in rear, mistake 2nd, jumped badly right 3rd and 4th, pulled up before 5th
led until 2nd, led 6th, soon headed, hit 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered 3 out
in rear, not always fluent, weakened 10th, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 6th, soon steadied, progess 11th, mistake 4 out, led last, stayed on well to draw clear flat (no time taken)
led 2nd until 6th, soon led again, headed 7th, weakened after 11th, tailed off
chased leaders, riddden after 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
Franchoek remains opposable over fences having dumped Robert Thornton at the first at Uttoxeter and of more interest are Polyfast and LOITA HILLS with the latter put forwards. The selection has had a spell Hunter Chasing which saw him produce a creditable performance on his return followed by a slightly disappointing effort at Aintree over a longer trip. That has seen his mark drop to a level 4lbs below his most recent winning mark and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to form over this shorter trip. Franchoek has yet to show any real aptitude for jumping fences and Polyfast has also become disappointing although the form of his Kempton second last time entitles him to close consideration in this company. Tyup Pompey has been in great form so enters the picture as does Osolomio who's capable of getting involved if putting his best foot forwards whilst Prince Des Marais went well over course and distance on his penultimate start but Loita Hills is preferred.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Pilgrims Lane (10-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Franchoek (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Bad mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Mous Of Men (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May, 5 ran.
Loita Hills (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway to modest 4th 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 11, 25l behind Bob Hall (12-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Stagecoach Amber (USA) 15-2 (11-5) Led, clear until approaching 8th, hit 10th, headed after 4 out, in 5th and beaten when fell 3 out, in a race won by Marrel (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
Osolomio (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, soon lost place, close up after 7th, led 10th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, close 2nd when stumbled badly and fell after 3 out, in a race won by Lease Lend (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Polyfast (FR) 6-4 (11-4) Led until 10th, soon rallied, driven to challenge 4 out, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Masked Man (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Free Gift 16-1 (10-12) Led until 10th, weakened under pressure 12th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Oscar Bay (11-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 10th, led and mistake 3 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May beating Ginolad (11-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
