held up, headway 5th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, hit 5th, soon ridden, beaten
held up behind, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5th, went 2nd, hard ridden approaching 2 out, no chance with easy winner
chased leader until 4th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 3rd, ridden after 3 out, 4th, beaten when stumbled badly 2 out
held up, headway after 4th, led on bit after 3 out, very easily
chased leaders, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off, pulled up before last
led, clear after 2nd, ridden, headed after 3 out, weakened
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Flying Grey won with plenty in hand when successful at Market Rasen recently and Tim Vaughan's four-year-old is taken to defy the 7lb penalty for that success, getting the verdict ahead of Akram and Avant Gardiste. The last mentioned was good value for his defeat over Leamington Lad at Towcester in a novices' hurdle last month but David Pipe's gelding is now 19lbs higher than when taking a handicap at Wincanton in April so he may be best watched. Formerly with Mick Easterby but now in the care of Alison Thorpe, Nortonthorpe Lad has shown a consistent level of form and should again be thereabouts but he may once more have to settle for minor honours. Jacaranda comes here fit from the flat but he needs to improve on recent hurdles form to trouble the judge and of more interest may be recent Market Rasen inner Akram. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has gone up 14lbs for that success though and preference is for Flying Grey.
Avant Gardiste (FR) 15-8 (11-2) In touch, headway 4 out, led 2 out, pushed clear, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Leamington Lad (10-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Goldfinger (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake 1st, progress into 9th 4 out, no extra next and pulled up in race won by Ilringuback (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Magic Rush 16-1 (11-10) Held up, steady headway 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 31l behind Honeybrook (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Akram (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, led approaching last, shaken up flat, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun beating Sea Venture (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Goldstar Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 12, well behind Carrietau (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Triple Bluff 11-1 (10-12) Held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden and found nil approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, 13l behind Le Beau Bai (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 6-4fav (10-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led 2 out, headed last, shaken up, not quicken flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Sheikhman (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Humbel Cone (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Katess (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Oyez (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, 22l behind Konigsbote (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Norisan 100-1 (10-8) Always towards rear no impression, 10th of 12, well behind Woolcombe Folly (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Jacaranda (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 8l behind Kristiansand (10-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Flying Grey (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led approaching next, drew clear last, driven out, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Fuel Cell (11-4) by 14l, 12 ran.
