led, hit 6th, headed approaching 7th, weakened approaching 9th
soon in rear and reminders, tailed off 3rd, pulled up approaching 5th
in rear and jumped right, headway 5th, poor 5th from 4 out
in rear, plugged on from 5 out
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, ran on lead after last, all out
prominent, led 7th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden 6th, weakened 8th, soon well behind
held up in rear on outside, headway 5 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, led and jumped right 2 out, jumped right again last, headed after last, no extra
in touch, lost place 5th, weakened 8th and well behind
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, weakened 8th, soon well behind
Tonic Du Charmil is on a retrieval mission and is taken to beat stablemate Milord Lescribaa, with Peeyoutwo, Qabas and Flame Phoenix seen as the main dangers. Martin Pipe certainly has a strong hand here, saddling two of the main protagonists, and it is Tonic Du Charmil that is preferred. Having blundered away his chance on a couple of occasions since going chasing, the French import can be considered no good thing, but the way that he travels generally during his races leads us to believe that he can finally come good. He has been given a break since his latest lapse at Perth in April, and at least lines up fresher than most. Milord Lescribaa was put in his place by Chivite at Newton Abbot last month but is going the right way and should play a prominent role. Peeyoutwo impressed with his jumping on his debut under rules at Uttoxeter in May, and can soon be found an opportunity, while Peter Bowen has made sure that Qabas has a suitable schoolmaster in Tony McCoy. Successful over hurdles off a mark of 107 in May, he is another that can win a race or two over fences. Flame Phoenix needs to brush up his jumping but has a little bit of experience now, and so is worth a mention, but Tonic du Charmil is the pick.
Ela Re 8-1 (11-4) Led early, well clear from 3rd to 6th, ridden when headed and blundered 3 out, weakened quickly, 9th of 14, 46l behind Prince of Persia (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Apr.
Flame Phoenix (USA) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance 3 out, effort after next, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Cumbrian Knight (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chs (E) gf in May.
Harbour Bound (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Soon tailed off and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Good Man Again (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (E) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Milord Lescribaa (FR) 15-2 (10-12) Held up, took closer order 9th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Chivite (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (D) gf in Jun.
Peeyoutwo 14-1 (11-3) Led and jumped well, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mioche d'Estruval (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (E) gf in May.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 4 out, 4 lengths down and going well when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Chef Tartare (11-10) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Apr, 8 ran.
Welsh Main 33-1 (11-0) Soon well behind, 4th of 6, 46l behind Tigers Lair (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd in Jun.
Qabas (USA) 4-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, pushed along and lost place 5th, last of 9, 38l behind Xellance (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jun.
