took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened 10th, mistake 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
last when swerved left, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
pressed leader, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, headway after 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
took keen hold, steadied into rear after 3rd, headway 8th, pecked 11th, led 3 out, edged slightly right flat, driven out
held up in rear, reminder after 4th, mistake 8th, losing touch from next, tailed off
held up, headway to track leaders approaching 10th, challenged 3 out, still every chance flat, not quicken
in touch, reminder 8th, lost place and struggling from next
led, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on flat
mid-division, blundered and dropped rear 8th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat
prominent, mistake 11th, soon ridden, hung left after 4 out, struggling when hampered 3 out, no danger after
City Affair looks best in at the weights here on official ratings but we will side with Able King, who is not far behind and has the scope for more improvement. The selection makes his chasing debut after wins in both a maiden and a claiming hurdle a couple of years ago. This trip and decent ground is right up his street and we'll side with him to come out after a long lay off and do the business. City Affair beats the selection for experience, having run in five previous chases, with a couple of decent efforts among them. However, he keeps finding one or two too good and while he sets the standard he may be vulnerable. Levitski looks a danger. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding won three in a row off this sort of mark over hurdles last year and performed well on his chasing debut last time. The return to this trip is a plus and he can go close. Our Choice has ability but still has stamina to prove, while the same goes for Mr Aitch, who has not yet convinved at this sort of trip before. An interesting contest of its type and we'll take them on with Able King.
City Affair 6-4fav (11-8) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 11l behind Kristiansand (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Jul.
Levitski 4-1co-fav (11-9) In touch, steady headway 8th, switched right soon after, ridden 3 out, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Orrezzo (11-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Mr Aitch (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 27l behind Shore Thing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) In touch, mistake 6th, led approaching 3 out, all out, headed close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dasher Reilly (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Valiant Shadow (GER) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, mistake 14th, weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 10, 32l behind Dasher Reilly (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Wise Owl 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 9, 18l behind Jazz Scene (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake 6th, not fluent 9th, effort when mistake 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 25l behind William Butler (10-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
Our Choice (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Led, mistake and headed 2nd, remained prominent, regained lead after 3 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, beaten last, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Rising Force (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
