held up towards rear, headway 9th, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along 7th, headway 9th, soon chasing winner, stayed on under pressure approaching last, not reach winner
tracked winner, under pressure 3 out, weakened next
made all, jumped well, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, headway 8th, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place 9th
held up in rear, under pressure 7th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, blundered badly 9th, soon pulled up
held up, never dangerous
Lord Henry ran creditably on his reappearance here last month but the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding needs to improve on that effort to get the better of CORNAS, who gets the vote ahead of Qrackers. The last mentioned had become expensive to follow but showed much improved form when winning all four of his starts (two over hurdles and two over fences) for Paul Nicholls last season. Now with Venetia Williams, Qrackers has his first start since winning a novice chase at Newton Abbot in August 2008 but the yard have their runners in good form so he has to be respected. The Alner's Master Medic has been in similarly good form, winning each of his last four starts, but a 10lb rise for his latest success here last month looks harsh and he may struggle to make it five on the bounce. Gary Moore's Fix The Rib is closely matched with Master Medic on running here last time and there should not be a great deal between the pair again but preference is for Cornas. Nick Williams has his string in good form at present and his representative put a fall at Limerick behind him when a good third behind Planet Of Sound at Exeter earlier this month. With confidence now restored, Cornas looks worth backing to resume winning ways.
Cornas (NZ) 5-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway after 8th, challenged 4 out, led approaching last and rider had tack problems briefly, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Planet Of Sound (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grade 2 (1) gs.
Master Medic (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Close up, tracked leader 4 out, challenged from 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well and in command towards finish, won at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct beating Fix The Rib (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Santa's Son (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, hard pressed 3 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Albanov (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gs.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led, hit 4th, joined when slightly hampered by loose horse 2 out, kept narrow advantage, headed approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Master Medic (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Lord Henry (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Blundered 1st, well in rear, hampered 5th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd on outside approaching last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Master Medic (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Oumeyade (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 9th, mistake 3 out, outpaced next, one pace approaching last, 5th of 9, 9l behind Albanov (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gs.
Oslot (FR) 11-2 (11-12) In rear, hampered 5th, struggling in rear when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Master Medic (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Qrackers (FR) Evensfav (10-6) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug '08 beating Ellerslie Tom (11-0) by 13l, 7 ran.
Enlightenment (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, steady headway from 9th, hit 12th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened in to 4th when blundered 2 out, 4th of 8, 11l behind Bible Lord (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
