held up towards rear, struggling in 9th before 4 out, tailed off and rider looking to pull up when jinked left and unseated approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to lead approaching last, ridden out
prominent, led 4th, narrowly headed 6th, led again next, driven and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner flat, lost 2nd post
held up and behind, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, driven in 2nd and every chance from 2 out until approaching last, not pace of winner flat, went 2nd post
led until 4th, chased leaders, went 2nd bypassing omitted 5 out, ridden to challenge 4 out, soon every chance until driven 2 out and weakened soon after
chased leaders, ridden and no extra before 2 out
took keen hold, chased leader until after 4th, pushed along bypassing omitted 5 out, stayed chasing leaders until no extra 2 out
raced wide chasing leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led 6th until next, lost 2nd bypassing omitted 5 out, driven along and weakened before 4 out, hit 4 out, well beaten and tired when fell next
chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, went badly left next, well beaten and no chance when went badly left again next almost unseated rider and pulled up
behind, tailed off before 4 out, badly hampered by faller on ground and pulled up soon after 3 out
Not many of these are noted for their consistency and several return from a break here, including Kap West, Solitary Palm and Normandy Landings. Uttoxeter fourth Smokey George is starting to come down the weights while Taminkle produced a better effort at Plumpton earlier this month. Sablazo was in the frame at Fontwell and Stratford last month but let's take a chance on the unexposed QUIX. Bob Buckler's grey ran a bit better than the final result suggests in a novice chase here last month and is well enough treated if he improves a little on that.
Backstreet Billy (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 8th, headed before 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Quinder Spring (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Smokey George 5-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 12th, led 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Quinder Spring (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.
Taminkle (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, challenged 8th, hit 10th, 3rd and hanging left 2 out, pressing for 2nd last, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Bally Gunner (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Kap West (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) In rear, steady headway from 7th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, blundered last, 5th of 10, 44l behind Venetian Lad (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Close 3rd, stumbled 10th, no chance with winner when hit 17th, went poor 2nd 3 out, tailed off, 2nd of 3, 32l behind Flaming Gorge (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in May.
Brannoc (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Last pair, not fluent 3rd, headway to 4th at 9th, mistake next, ridden 14th, driven and struggling before 4 out, poor 4th when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Referent (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f mdn chs (5) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Normandy Landings 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, well behind Gunship (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr '11.
Quix 150-1 (10-13) In touch on outside, lost place 8th, soon behind, blundered last, 6th of 11, well behind Rebel Rebellion (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f Beginners Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) gs in Oct.
Sablazo (FR) 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, headway 2 out, left in 3rd at last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Roc De Guye (10-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Oct.
Celts Espere 200-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, hit 1st, ridden and struggling 9th, mistake 11th, tailed off next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Balbriggan (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
