held up towards rear, pushed along 11th, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 4th, headed before 8th, blundered 6 out, soon weakened
in touch in 4th, went 4th 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression
led to 4th, with leader, led before 8th, clear before 5 out, ridden before 2 out, headed lst, rallied run-in to regain lead last 50 yards
tracked leader, went 3rd 5 out, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 11th, went 2nd after 6 out, ridden before 4 out, led last, headed last 50 yards, no extra
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway after 6 out, weakened from next
in rear, jumped badly right from 8th, never dangerous
held up towards rear, pushed along 10th, soon weakened
This race was confined to conditionals rather than amateur riders last year but SOMERBY won it and there is no reason to believe he won't go close again off a 4lb higher mark as Harry Bannister looks a good jockey booking. River D'Or attracted support at Fontwell three weeks ago but finished tailed off. He must have needed that and better is expected here while Ballyvoneen should be pressing for a place again. Red Rouble and Tuskar Rock have past form at a higher level but Sarika is an out-and-out stayer who has his quirks and may not be the ideal mount for an inexperienced rider.
Sarika (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, closed 6th, led 12th, not fluent 14th, headed before 3 out, 3rd and weakening when refused 2 out, in a race won by Decimus (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep, 5 ran.
Red Rouble (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Prominent, ridden 14th, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Bishophill Jack (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May '13.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, bumped 2nd, not fluent next, hampered 12th, stayed on one pace approaching last, closing on 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Georgian King (11-12) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gf.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 13-2 (10-13) Led until 14th, weakened before 16th, 5th of 7, 44l behind Abbeygrey (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
River D'or (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Always last, pushed along after 12th, struggling when blundered 12th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Osmosia (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
Somerby (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led until 1st, prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 5 out, chased winner before next, no impression and well held from 3 out, lost 2nd last until regained it towards finish, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Doc Wells (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in May.
Stafford Charlie 18-1 (9-13) Mid-division, closed after 4th although leading pair went clear, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Topthorn (10-5) at Worcester 2m am hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft, 10 ran.
Zigzaga (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Held up, went 4th 8th, not fluent 11th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Market Option (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun, 6 ran.
First Spirit 100-1 (9-7) Held up, mistake 2nd, hampered 7th, behind 9th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Uncle Pettit (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Jul, 13 ran.
