tracked leader, driven to challenge approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
behind, headway when jumped right 5 out, headway approaching next, chased leaders 3 out, never a threat
behind, outpaced 5 out, headway 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway approaching 5 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, jumped right 6th, weakened before next
made all, went clear 2 out, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, effort 4 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 5 out
held up in rear, headway into mid-division approaching 6th, ridden weakened 8th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Limpopo Tom will appreciate a return to fences but it's a bit of a worry that he was beaten in a seller over hurdles in July. Hawaii Five Nil has been raised 3lb since his second at Stratford and has never won over a trip this far. Cruchain has been successful over course and distance in the past but the 12-year-old hasn't won off a mark this high for more than three years. Ladfromhighworth weakened quickly when favourite at Uttoxeter earlier this month but VALADOM ran a race full of promise to finish second in that contest. Richard Hobson's French import could go one better here if building on that.
Ladfromhighworth 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader until not fluent 11th, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Jayo Time (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 5th, chased leaders, slightly hampered 5 out, weakened before 4 out, blundered next, blundered again 2 out and pulled up before last, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Limpopo Tom (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Raced wide, led, hit 4th and next, not fluent and headed 6th, weakened quickly next, last of 8, 36 1/2l behind Royal Battalion (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Hawaii Five Nil (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Prominent, blundered 4 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, stayed on under pressure closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 5, nk behind Johnny Og (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Cruchain (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked winner, lost place 4 out, outpaced in 4th after last, no chance with leaders flat, 4th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Forever My Friend (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Valadom (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Led, hit 6th, not fluent 8th, mistake 3 out, headed before next, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Jayo Time (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Gus Macrae (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, lost place 2nd, struggling 10th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
My Lad Percy 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, disputing 2nd when blundered badly last, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Ballyben (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Who Am I 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased clear and easy winner after 4 out, lost 2nd when fell heavily next, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
