held up, headway 12th, soon ridden, outpaced 3 out, hit 2 out, rallied approaching last, kept on to go 2nd flat
in touch, ridden after 12th, soon weakened
chased leaders to 12th, behind when hit and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, ridden when mistake 13th, soon weakened
towards rear, hit 6th, effort approaching 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up
with leader, led 6th to 9th, led again 10th, jumped right 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden and every chance from 2 out until no extra flat
held up, effort 14th, weakened next
led to 6th, led again 9th to 10th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 13th, weakened 4 out
A trappy race in which Luneray is tentatively advised ahead of Kocqueliot and Master Tern. Paul Nicholls' charge may just be able to make use of racefitness this afternoon although his jumping is an obvious point of concern. That said, this is the sort of race that Nicholls does well in and we shall take the hint this afternoon. Kocqueliot hails from a yard in form. His better form is with significantly more cut in the ground but he is nonetheless watched in the market. Master Tern has tumbled down the handicap to a very winnable mark. He hasn't won for two-and-a-half years and his jumping has played more than its part in that verdict. McKelvey is very unexposed and has to be respected if the money is seen. He certainly wont lose anything for his battling qualities and a faster pace (than that seen in his most recent race at Kelso) should suit. Cill Churnain and Radcliffe are involved in battles with the handicapper at the moment. Ebony Light is well in today but is probably a little better with cut in the ground. Russian Gigolo returns from a long absence and could be the horse to make the pace this afternoon. Virgin Soldier is difficult to assess as he rarely runs two chases alike. Luneray gets the nod.
Mckelvey (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (11-5) Tracked winner, hit 10th, every chance when blundered last, rallied under pressure towards finish, just held, 2nd of 5, shd behind Smiths Landing (11-8) at Kelso 3m 1f chs (B) gf in May.
Koquelicot (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 14th, clear 4 out, ridden approaching last, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Iverain (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Cill Churnain (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 6th, hit 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 15th of 18, well behind Kivotos (10-6) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gd in May '04.
The Sister 9-2 (11-0) In touch, mistake 6th, headway to join leader 4 out, ridden to lead approaching next, driven out, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Aug beating Seaniethesmuggler (9-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Russian Gigolo (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 6th, outpaced when blundered 3 out, no chance after, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Flinders Chase (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd in Feb '04.
Ebony Light (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Jumped right, led, clear 7th, mistake 14th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Gunner Welburn (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Apr.
Luneray (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Mid-division, hit 6th, struggling after 4 out, stayed on from last, never troubled leaders, 5th of 10, 8l behind On The Outside (10-11) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Sept.
Master Tern (USA) 9-4 (11-1) Not fluent, in touch, effort from 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Noble Justice (10-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in Aug.
Radcliffe (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led until fell at the 4th in race won by Multi Talented (11-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Held up and behind, hit 10th, never able to challenge, 6th of 11, 45l behind Prince of Slane (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in May.
Mr Fluffy 33-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Goblet of Fire (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Aug, 16 ran.
Virgin Soldier (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 13, 36l behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
