reminders 6th, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
hampered 3rd, always behind
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, stayed on well flat to lead close home
mid-division, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
always prominent, went 2nd 8th until approaching 3 out, weakened last
held up, hampered 1st, never near leaders
jumped badly right, chased leaders, ridden 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
jumped right, mid-division, headway 8th, weakened 2 out
led 2nd, riddeen after 2 out, headed and no extra close home
hampered and unseated rider 1st
led to 2nd, chased leader until stumbled 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
always well behind, pulled up before last
bumped 1st, badly hampered and brought down 3rd
This is not a strong race, with Schinken Otto selected ahead of Buttress and Corrib Drift. Raised just three pounds for his narrow Uttoxeter win, Schinken Otto left the impression there that he had more improvement in him. As such, and given that he will be given a positive ride on going that should suit, he is the selection. Lightly raced, Buttress showed more than enough over hurdles to be granted a lot of respect from his current rating and is respected. Munadil won a fair Classified Chase here two runs ago but disappointed at Southwell once the handicapper had had his say. That said, he can still go well. Perfect Punch has shown enough on occasion to be granted some thought, while Upswing showed enough when winning at Hexham three runs ago to also be given some consideration today. Corrib Drift has run well in races at least the equal of these on his last two outings, so is another that might go well, and a return to the level of his hurdling form of around a year ago would give Rash Moment solid claims. Finally, Irish import Westfield Dancer would be given a chance on his 2004 form, while Neuro would not be without a chance if returning to his French form of a year ago, and Ouh Jay's most recent efforts in the hunter chase sphere mean that he is not without a claims. Overall, though, we will stick with Schinken Otto.
Perfect Punch 12-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened after last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Incorporation (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.
Upswing 5-1 (9-7) Behind, headway after 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace 2 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 9l behind Master Nimbus (10-4) at Wetherby 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Corrib Drift (USA) 5-2fav (10-11) Held up towards rear and jumped left throughout, some headway 11th, ridden and kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 10l behind John Foley (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Ethan Snowflake 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Southern Bazaar (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Island of Memories (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to lead after 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 17, 47l behind Rushneeyriver (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 5-1fav (10-0) Made virtually all, jumped right from 4th, ridden after 3 out, just held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun beating Incorporation (10-10) by a shd, 12 ran.
Ouh Jay 14-1 (11-0) Led, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sajomi Rona (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf in Jun.
Munadil 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place halfway, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Bob's Buster (11-12) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun, 13 ran.
