always towards rear, struggling from 5th
held up, switched right and effort approaching 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened last
held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace
chased leader until 4th, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, pushed out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
led, headed 4 out, ridden and led again approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace
tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 5th, led and mistake 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, hit last, soon weakened
RED ADMIRAL is our pick for this one, ahead of Levitski and Penny Pictures. The selection justified favouritism at Hereford last time out and bids for a quick follow-up, albeit on his debut in handicap company over hurdles. A successful Flat runner as a juvenile, he can further reward connections. Leviktski is a consistent sort over fences and hurdles. Don't be overly concerned if he's seen sweating up beforehand, as he's done that before but gone on to win. He won't want much cut in the ground though. Penny Pictures has won a number of these events in the past, but only once when the ground's been anything but good. John Quinn and Dougie Costellio have won this race for the last couple of years and team up with Holiday Cocktail this time around. You can make a case for just about all of these in a very competitive little heat.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened 8th, last of 16, well behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Levitski 7-2fav (10-10) Held up rear of mid-division, headway 9th, switched right after 3 out, not much room 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Jazz Dance (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Aureate 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, soon clear, ridden 2 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Rich Lord (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Pseudonym (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Held up, not fluent 7th, weakened approaching 11th, mistake 13th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Bagan (10-9) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
The Rocking Dock (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tendency to jump right, led until after 9th, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 33l behind Bantry Bere (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Sept.
Red Admiral (USA) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway after 4th, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Rising Force (11-0) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 4th of 14, 6l behind Viper (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Holiday Cocktail 20-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 15th of 20, 37l behind Kia Kaha (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Dunaskin (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Chased clear leader, closed after 5th, challenged next, disputed lead from 3 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 10, 8l behind Missis Potts (10-13) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead just before last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept beating Ptibaby (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
