made all, clear approaching last
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2f out
chased leader and keen, weakened after 3f out
held up and keen, headway 8th, weakened approaching 2f out
tracked leaders, chased winner after 3f out, hit next, no chance with winner
held up in touch, weakened from 8th
held up towards rear, behind when hit last
held up mid division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2f out
held up and keen, hit 5th, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 3rd, pushed along and struggling from 6th
KHACHATURIAN sets the standard here and is our selection ahead of Quail and the newcomer Supreme Keano. Our pick is the most exposed but also the most successful, and was a decent second last time out in a similar contest at Aintree back in May. A 45,000 guineas purchase two years ago, he's rewarded connections in the past and can do so again despite being top weight. His best runs have come when up with the pace, and a similar sort of run is expected here, on a track where front runners do tend to dominate. Quail is another front runner who's impressed in three runs to date and has won a bumper. Third last time out on his hurdling debut, he should be too good for a number of these. Debutant Supreme Keano may lack experience, but breeding suggests a decent career.
Khachaturian (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Led from 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Your Amount (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) With leader, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mister Wiseman (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Always Baileys (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Charge It (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sept.
Galoshes 6-1 (10-12) Held up, awkward jump start, steady headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd briefly before 2 out, weakening when fell at the last in race won by Hidden Weapon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Jorveybrook (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, not fluent and reminder 6th, some headway 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 44l behind Starburst Diamond (10-8) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Quail (FR) 3-1 (10-13) In touch, chased leader 3 out, effort and every chance next, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Its Tough (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Stran Millis (IRE) (12-0) won at Necarne 3m ire ptp frm in May '07 beating Stillwithme (12-0) by 2l, 15 ran.
Supreme Keano (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, brother to high-class chaser Keen Leader, half-brother to winning hurdler Pay To Production.
The Treacle Eater 17-2 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 25l behind Fistral Beach (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Glenisland 200-1 (10-4) Blundered 5th, not fluent 7th, always behind, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind William Butler (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Lunar Fox 66-1 (10-10) Always well behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mountain Approach (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov '06, 11 ran.
Fair Point (IRE) (12-0) Prominent, led last, battled on, won at Templemore 3m ire ptp gd in Apr '07 beating Spring Vision (11-9) by a , 18 ran.
