disputed lead until before 2nd, chased winner, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, held flat, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 4 out, ridden 3 out, no extra last
made virtually all, jumped well, clear flat, comfortably
chased leaders, closed 4 out, hit 3 out, ridden 2 out, mistake last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
NonRunner
SWORD OF FATE (NAP) came back to form at Kelso last week and won this last year when only a pound lower. He also got the better of Tico Times over 2m4f here in May and is 4lb better off with the runner-up, who has won twice since. Check My Pulse hasn’t shown much over fences so far and City Derby is having a first run over the larger obstacles after a break but Spark Of Madness was a winner over course and distance on his chasing bow in May, though is another returning from a lay-off.
Sword Of Fate (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Prominent, pushed along to challenge before 2 out, led last, headed flat, no extra final 100yds, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Raecius Felix (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Spark Of Madness (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Contested lead, bumped 2nd and rider briefly lost irons, clear lead 3rd, headed before 5th, niggled after 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, dived at last, almost rejoined late on, all out, won at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in May beating Bob's Bar (11-11) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Tico Times (IRE) 13-8fav (10-4) Jumped right at times, led until 2nd, chased winner, ridden before last, held but kept on flat, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Gold Des Bois (11-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Check My Pulse (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, driven 3 out, no impression when hampered last, 4th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Into The Sunset (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
City Derby (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway travelling well on inside home turn, ridden to challenge when left in lead last, kept on well flat, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Dock Road (12-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
