chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, led approaching next, clear approaching last, easily
chased leader, pushed along approachign 4th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, lost place from 4th
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 5th
led, soon clear, mistake 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon outpaced
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 5th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened from 6th
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon chasing winner, kept on, no impression
Intersky Music probably deserves to get his head in front following some consistent performances this term but may again have to settle for minor honours with a chance taken on the fitness of Noble Sham, who gets the vote over Truly Fruitful. The last mentioned showed improved form when landing a handicap at Stratford last month and does not seem harshly treated having been raised just 4lbs for that run today but the softer ground is of concern. Lordsbridge is hard to recommend on all known form, while Palomar gave little sign of encouragement on his return at Perth in September. David Pipe's Time Bandit is less exposed than these after just two starts, latterly when landing a novices' hurdle at Newton Abbot in June 2005. Lack of a run since then need not be of concern but preference is for stablemate Noble Sham who has also been off for some time but seemingly has the better form and he gets the vote.
Primitive Academy 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden 5th, struggling when fell 2 out in race won by Felinious (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Palomar (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, 20l behind Platin Grounds (10-12) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Noble Sham 15-8fav (10-11) Jumped slightly left, made all, hit 6th, mistake 2 out, edged right flat, kept on, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept '05 beating Kristoffersen (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Truly Fruitful (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Took keen hold, soon in touch, mistake 5th, hit 3 out, led 2 out, hit last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Peak Seasons (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Croon 3-1 (11-3) Chased leader, hit 5th, beaten 3 out, 4th of 7, 12l behind Twist Bookie (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Time Bandit (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, hung right approaching last, kept on, won at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf in Jun '05 beating Colony Hill (11-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Lordsbridge (USA) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway 4 out, chased leaders from 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Bob Mountain (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Where Art Thou (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders to 3rd, soon lost place, tailed off from 2 out, 13th of 15, well behind Freedom Flying (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Intersky Music (USA) 4-1 (10-4) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 5th, in touch when fell at the 8th in race won by Try (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Oct, 16 ran.
Lady Suffragette (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Amnesty (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Classi Maureen 13-2 (9-13) Chased leader, led 2nd to 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Go Free (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, led after 6th, headed when blundered 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 20l behind Border Tale (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Kingdom of Dreams (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dream Castle (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
