prominent, chased leader to 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden 15th, weakened before 4 out
chased leader, led 2nd, headed 6th, blundered 10th, pulled up before 13th
prominent, chased leader 15th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
always behind, pulled up after 13th
in touch, led 6th, pushed clear from 2 out, comfortably
led until blundered and unseated rider 2nd
chased leader, bumped and fell 5th
held up in mid-division, lost touch 5th, hampered by loose horse 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Uncle Mick does not win very often but the opposition here does not look to be that strong and Colin Tizzard's gelding looks worth a punt in a race where Chief Predator and Presence Of Mind rate the main dangers. The selection took advantage of a lenient mark when landing a handicap at Towcester in May before failing to stay further at Cartmel last time. The 10-year-old remains on a favourable mark and is taken to give his in-form yard another winner. Blue Leader has claims on the form shown when scoring at Hereford but is far from certain to stay this trip, while Rolfes Delight has an absence to overcome and may need the run. Jabiru has slipped to a fair mark but gave little sign for encouragement here last time and of more interest may be Chief Predator. The 11-year-old returns to rules racing after a successful spell between the flags and could be potentially well treated. Topweight Presence Of Mind won well at Exeter in May but two subsequent starts suggest that the handicapper may now have his measure and a safer bet looks to be Uncle Mick.
Presence of Mind (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistakes 6th and 10th, badly hampered and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Excellent Vibes (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Jun, 16 ran.
Uncle Mick (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced when hit 5 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Sir Frosty (10-5) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in May.
Phar City (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until 11th, soon weakened, 8th of 15, well behind Maidstone Monument (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Blue Leader (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 5th, 11th of 15, 35l behind Sunnyland (10-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Rolfes Delight 12-1 (9-11) Mistake and unseated rider in race won by Un Jour A Vassy (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Major Sharpe (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) In touch until lost place quickly after 6th, tailed off from next, 13th of 14, well behind Swansea Bay (11-7) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Sept.
Chief Predator (USA) 4-5fav (12-0) won at Bonvilston 3m ptp gf in May beating Chesnut Wood (12-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
The Sawdust Kid 25-1 (9-9) Tracked winner until 16th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 9, well behind Lord 'n' Master (11-12) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jun.
