held up, raced keenly, went 3rd 5th, closed to go 2nd 4 out, took narrow lead before 2 out, ridden approaching last, just prevailed in driving finish
relegated to last 5th, behind 7th, closed briefly when not fluent 10th, soon lost touch again, tailed off
led until after 5th, pressed leader, led 8th to 9th, led 10th, driven after 3 out, headed narrowly before 2 out, kept battling away, just lost out in driving finish
pressed leader, led after 5th, headed 8th, led again 9th to 10th, lost 2nd when mistake 4 out, hit 3 out, soon beaten, mistake 2 out
took keen hold, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
A tough one to call with Seven Is My Number, King's Forest and RECIF DE THAIX all potentially useful but the four year old allowances swing the vote the way of the Nicholls runner. Seven Is My Number is pretty good on his day as he showed when running a big race in the Imperial Cup but his subsequent efforts that season were disappointing. He's made a good start to his chasing career but this is tougher and his penalties will make life difficult. Plenty of use was made of King's Forest on his chase bow and that, coupled with the odd mistake, saw him run out of steam in the closing stages over course and distance. The winner, Ogee, is a fair sort and he should improve for the experience so he rates highly whilst Kanpai was a decent sort over hurdles a couple of years back but may be best watched on his return. That pair have the edge in experience but the allowances that Recif De Thaix receives are in his favour and his trainer sends him straight over fences after three runs in bumpers in a bid to exploit them. The form only looks fair at best but he may prove to be a different proposition over obstacles as so many of the yard's horses are so we'll opt for Recif De Thaix.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 10th, left in lead after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Stratford 2m 4f noc chs (4) gf in Sep beating Oscar Royal (10-13) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Kanpai (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led to after 2nd, stayed front rank until driven and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 50l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec '06.
Khachaturian (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led, soon clear until headed 9th, ridden to regain lead 3 out, headed after last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind King Troy (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f noc chs (2) gd in Sep.
King's Forest (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Led, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Ogee (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f noc chs (4) gd in Sep.
Lord Larsson 17-2 (11-6) Raced keenly, in touch, led briefly 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Glencree (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Recif De Thaix (FR) 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, all out, won at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb beating John's Gift (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
