in rear and in touch, went 3rd before last, kept on and no impression
with leader, led 3 out, clear before last, pushed out
led to 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch, reminders before 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, blundered 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
Despite a slipping saddle, BRIAN BORANHA (NAP) made Lovely Job pull out all the stops here last month. He’s been left on the same mark and can open his account over the larger obstacles today, though Lovely Job’s trainer Fergal O’Brien runs River Of Intrigue who finished ahead of the selection at Market Rasen earlier. Always Archie has only won a hunter chase so far over fences and looks to have plenty of weight while Oriental Fixer and Velvet Cognac also need more.
Always Archie 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Braqueur D'or (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Chased leaders, reached for 1st, mistake 5th, not fluent 6th or 4 out, 2nd 2 out, closed flat, no impression inside final 100 yards, saddle had slipped backwards, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Lovely Job (11-9) at Hexham 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
River Of Intrigue (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Led to 1st, tracked leader, disputed lead 5th, led again narrowly after 7th to next, pushed along after 4 out, ridden after next, no impression with front pair from last, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Chebsey Beau (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Velvet Cognac 20-1 (11-0) Always last, lost touch 10th, tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Black Corton (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gf in Aug.
Oriental Fixer (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) In rear, hit 12th, ridden and struggling 15th, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Jack Snipe (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.