held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leading pair next, weakening when hit 2 out
held up, ridden 4 out, kept up from next, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, took 3rd close home
always towards rear, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
made all, clear from 3 out
chased winner from 5th, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
The obvious form choice here is Gunadoir and she is taken to lead home Bene Lad and Tell Henry. The Nicky Richards trained four-year-old was nothing special in bumpers but made a very pleasing hurdles debut when chasing home a well regarded stable companion. With improvement almost guaranteed she looks the one to be on. This isn't the strongest of races and it would be no surprise to see one of the newcomers go well. The one that catches the eye is Jim Goldie's Bene Lad, the mount of Timmy Murphy. He is related to winners in every sphere and should be watched closely in the betting. Tell Henry disappointed at Aintree last time but that was a much stronger race. He had shown plenty of promise in similar company to today's and he can make his presence felt. Festival King is from a yard in form and may do best of the others, but for the winner we return to Gunadoir.
Bayside 9-1 (10-9) Held up, always towards rear, 9th of 16, 46l behind King Daniel (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bene Lad (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Sandwell Old Rose.
Didcot 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, left remote 3rd three out, never dangerous, 3rd of 5, well behind Station Island (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl (D) gf in May '04.
Festival King (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced 4th out, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression, 6th of 15, 22l behind Tazbar (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Royal Miller (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 4th, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Smart Street (10-13) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Tell Henry (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Behind until ridden and kept on from 3 out, never nearer, 7th of 20, 17l behind Rothbury (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gd in Nov.
Gunadoir (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up, headway after 1st, ridden and switched right after 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Westgrove Berry (9-11) at Leicester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Stormont Dawn (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Close up, no extra approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 27l behind The Ring (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Za Beau (IRE) Beneficial mare out of Shuil Na Gale.
