mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, ridden after 14th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up and dismounted before 4 out
in touch, lost place after 9th, ridden 13th, rallied last, ran on flat
prominent, led 6th to 8th, lost place 11th, rallied 3 out, one pace last
always towards rear, blundered 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, hit 4th, headway approaching 10th, ridden next, weakened 12th
led to 6th, led again 8th to 12th, ridden 14th, switched right approaching last, stayed on flat
held up, slipped bend approaching 10th, hit 12th, ridden 3 out, no impression
soon prominent, led 12th, blundered 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed last, weakened flat
held up, headway 13th, ridden after next, led flat, ran on
towards rear, headway after 9th, not fluent 10th, ridden to lead last, headed and not quicken flat
Rare Society was good value for his win in a beginners' chase over course and distance last time and is taken to follow up back in a handicap here with the main threats looking to come from He's The Biz and Aston. The last mentioned has been running consistently well of late but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper as a result. Meehan is probably a shade high in the weights now, while Flahive's First is another that has paid for his consistency and may now be booked for a place at best. Cristophe has been running well over hurdles of late and can race off a lower mark back over fences so has to be considered, while Jonjo O'Neill's Lake Merced has failed to complete in his last four starts and is hard to recommend. He's The Biz is closely matched with Aston on running here last time and he is another to consider but Rare Society could be an improving gelding and he gets the vote.
Meehan (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 12th, every chance after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Leopold (10-1) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Lake Merced (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Prominent, hit 2nd, close 2nd when fell at the 12th in race won by Francines-Boy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jul, 9 ran.
Rare Society (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Always prominent, ridden to lead 4 out, hung right approaching last, edged left flat, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gf in Jul beating Shared Account (10-12) by a shd, 7 ran.
Flahive's First 10-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 9th, hit 11th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Maidstone Monument (10-12) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jul.
Aston (USA) 7-2 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 12th, tracked leaders, ridden and hit 4th, blundered next and one pace when blundered last, 4th of 8, 18l behind Catch The Perk (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
He's The Biz (FR) 9-2fav (10-4) Behind, headway 12th, ridden to lead 4 out, jumped right from 3 out, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul beating Aston (10-11) by 2l, 16 ran.
Oakfield Legend 20-1 (10-13) Several mistakes, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Yes Sir (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Cristophe 7-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Terramarique (10-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
