held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened soon after
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked winner, until ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
held up mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, hit 5th, challenged 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, weakened approaching 2 out
made all, under pressure from 2 out, hard pressed last, driven out
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when not fluent last, not quick in run-in
FAIRYLAND is the selection in the opener with Caravel and Honest John likely to provide the most pertinent dangers. Nicky Henderson's team have announced themselves in good heart and this ex-German mare has placed twice in her two British starts. The form of that most recent placing was given a huge boost last weekend by Golan Way's victory in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. Caravel won five on the level before switching his attentions to the winter game. A 160 000 guineas purchase, he attempts to follow in the same hoofprints as illustrious stable star, Inglis Drever. Honest John won the Champion Bumper at this track on Grand National day. Traditionally a race to follow, it has already yielded a smart recruit in Cape Tribulation, who finished almost four lengths behind Honest John on the day. Drawback finished second in a race that is likely to throw up plenty of winners. His style of running will be conducive to the tight turns of Aintree. My Moment held every chance at Exeter and has wisely been dropped in trip this afternoon. Mighty Moon and Ebert make their hurdling debuts for Richard Fahey whilst former sprinter, Geojimali, is another interesting recruit to the game. Going Wrong shaped encouragingly in a Newcastle bumper and is one to note for the future. Fairyland is a tentative pick in a difficult opening gambit for the punters.
Big Burrows (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, behind 7th, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 28l behind Hunters Ploy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Caravel (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Raced near side, tracked leaders, pushed along from over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 7th of 28, 9l behind Tazeez (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct (Flat).
Drawback (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked winner throughout, ridden and every chance 2 out, held when hit last, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Jeepstar (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Ebert 25-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 7l behind Angel Rock (8-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct (Flat).
Geojimali 20-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 21, 2l behind Misphire (8-12) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft (Flat).
Going Wrong 13-2 (10-11) Held up, headway halfway, outpaced 4f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 4th of 16, 6l behind Karmadice (10-8) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Honest John 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Touch of Irish (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 20 ran.
Mighty Moon 9-2 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Puy d'Arnac (9-8) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy (Flat).
My Moment (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, faded, 7th of 17, 27l behind Award Winner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Youngstown (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leader, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 21l behind Moves Goodenough (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (3) gs.
Fairyland (GER) Evensfav (10-5) Tracked leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out, kept on after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Golan Way (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
