Stafford Charlie scrambled home by the narrowest of margins last time out for the John O'Shea team; a result that would have been a relief to jockey Mark Quinlan who put up 2lb of overweight. Up 6lb for the win, and with Donal Fahy booked, the six-year-old will attempt to confirm form with Draco Boy and Escardo. Be Ashored takes a welcome drop in trip and has been given something of a chance by the handicapper in relation to some of his old form, but it could be worth taking the field on with SILSULA. Neil Mulholland's mare was travelling well when unseating her rider in a similar race at Wincanton, and having had a couple of confidence boosting run over hurdles since that spill, she can capitalise off a lowly rating of just 68.
Comme Je Trouve (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Held up in touch on outside, blundered 13th, outpaced when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered next, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Cardigan Island (10-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
King Gabriel (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Hampered 4th, always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Southway Star (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Be Ashored 12-1 (10-13) Jumped left, led 2nd, clear 3rd, headed approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Ballybough Gorta (10-3) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Silver Coaster (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Led after 2nd, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off, 5th of 12, 43l behind Special Account (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jun.
Spring Wine (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, blundered 2nd, headed 5th, reminders before 7th, blundered and weakened from 4 out, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Gentleman Jeff (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) sft.
Draco Boy 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, challenged before 4 out, ridden next, led narrowly 2 out to before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Stafford Charlie (9-11) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Stafford Charlie 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, effort on outside after 5 out, led when hit next, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden to regain lead before last, hard pressed flat, just held on, won at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Le Grand Chene (10-6) by shd, 9 ran.
Lord Wheathill 100-1 (10-12) Held up, took keen hold, headway 2nd, led next, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 35l behind Ahyaknowyerself (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4yo nov stks (4) hvy.
Escardo (GER) 11-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, not much room after 5 out, outpaced next, kept on under pressure from last, no impression, 5th of 9, 11l behind Stafford Charlie (9-11) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Bloodyburn Bay (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Led, clear to 10th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, tailed off, 4th of 8, 40l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-0) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Silsula 7-2 (9-8) Jumped badly right virtually throughout, chased leader, reminder 6th, lost place and ridden 3 out, no chance with front pair before next, 3rd of 6, 39l behind Sahrati (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jun.
Grand Fella (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 9th, ridden after next, blundered 4 out, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Bertenbar (11-10) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
