took keen hold, tracked leader who went clear early stages, jumped left and mistake 3rd, led before 6th, headed before 4 out, no impression 2 out, no extra last
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
held up in 5th, not fluent 2nd, blundered and unsetaed rider 3rd
held up in rear, headway 9th, blundered 4 out, ridden 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, demoted to 3rd close home
held up in rear, hampered by loose horse before making blunder 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd after 9th, led before 4 out, clear from 2 out, easily
led, clear until before 5th, headed next, weakened 10th, tailed off
Former smart French runner Robinson Collonges has only appeared once on British turf and wasn't disgraced in a fifteen runner affair at Newbury in January. Assuming that connections have put him through his paces over the summer and he is fresh and ready to race then he could be the fly in the ointment to our pick, OTAGE DE BRION. He fell when last seen after tiring in the latter stages but was jumping well prior to this. The slight drop in trip and being highly rated over fences he can take this race ahead of likely challengers Pouvoir who won at Uttoxeter last month and Tara Royal who has one win from his only chase start.
Otage De Brion (FR) 7-4 (11-7) Led until 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Earth Dream (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Aug, 4 ran.
Pouvoir (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear final 150 yards, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs in Sep beating Classic Fly (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tara Royal 9-4fav (11-0) In rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair approaching 3 out, led approaching next, clear approaching last, won at Haydock 2m 4f beg chase (3) gd in May beating Cool Friend (10-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Wessex King (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in 5th, headway to go 2nd when hit next, led 7th, headed 11th, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Otage De Brion (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Marley Roca (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up in well grouped field, headway on inside 3 out, hit 2 out, went left and not fluent last, went 2nd briefly flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Lord Ragnar (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) sft in Mar.
Robinson Collonges (FR) 9-2 (11-11) In touch, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 15, 6l behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
That's The Deal (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) In rear, lost touch when mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Billie Magern (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sep, 6 ran.
