tracked leader, carried right 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway 5th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, pressed flat, driven out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, driven and every chance flat, held close home
jumped right, led until hit 6th, weakened before 8th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway 6th, challenging when hit 4 out, beaten from next, no extra last
in rear, behind 5th, pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent and led next, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened next
It's almost a year since SERGEANT THUNDER last saw a racecourse and he only beat one home on that occasion. But he did win here in May of last year and fitness is rarely a problem for one from his yard. He is fancied to see off the challenge of another course winner, Breaking The Bank, who didn't really take to fences last time. Yabadabadoo has also been chasing while Powderonthebonnet disappointed at Chepstow after finishing second at Exeter. Life And Soul remains resolutely out of sorts.
Life And Soul (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, quickly lost place after 7th, pulled up, in a race won by De Vous A Moi (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
Sergeant Thunder 8-11fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd between last 2, soon ridden and one pace, no impression flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Larteta (10-9) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Breaking The Bank 7-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, went 3rd 2 out, one pace and no impression, dropped to 4th flat, 4th of 6, 14l behind Gun Shy (11-8) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Yabadabadoo 9-4fav (11-3) Led until 1st, led after 2nd until 6th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 44l behind Gun Shy (11-8) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Vinnie The Fish (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, stumbled 4th, lost touch well before 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 3, 29l behind Fairyinthewind (10-13) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Powderonthebonnet (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off when hit 3 out, last of 10, 19l behind Brave Helios (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Tara Dove 14-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, last of 13, well behind Sir Dylan (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
