reluctant to race, well behind when jumped badly left 1st, pulled up before next
held up, went prominent 9th, in 4th and weakening when blundered 12th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, driven along 9th, weakened next, tailed off from 3 out
led, headed after 12th, hit next, beaten when hit last
tracked leaders, stayed on from 3 out, took 2nd last, no chance with winner
with leaders, blundered 8th, jumped badly right 11th, led after next, jumped right 2 out, kept on well
Genghis is taken to get the measure of Manners and Stoway. Peter Bowen's team are sending out winners at present and Genghis, who was rated in the 140's over hurdles, secures the nod. It's fair to say that his chasing efforts have not quite lived up to the expectations of his hurdling career, but on today's surface and against this opposition, he looks to be worth a chance. Manners has had his injury woes in the past and Tony McCoy had to be at his most majestic to get him home last time out. The horse does not look the most willing but the champion jockey will attempt to persuade him from on top. Stoway arrived in Britain with something of a reputation given some good runs in France. The jury is out after a couple of flops. Maldoun posted a 40/1 shock at Wetherby a couple of months ago but looks outclassed on this occasion. First Thought is held on form and isn't an obvious one to improve for a step up in trip. The remainder look hard to fancy and for the winner we return to Genghis.
Maldoun (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Started slowly, soon well behind and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Ad Murum (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 13 ran.
Manners (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Held up in touch, outpaced 7th, headway next, driven to challenge 2 out, jumped left last, hard ridden to lead flat, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (3) gf beating Kingkohler (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bay Of Kinsale (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led, jumped right 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind The Big Canadian (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf.
Flying Jody (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, soon behind, 5th of 6, 29l behind Lord Ryeford (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Genghis (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, well behind Buena Vista (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
First Fought (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon under pressure, kept on from last, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Manners (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (3) gf.
Stoway (FR) 5-6fav (10-10) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, effort after 4 out, weakened after next, pulled up before last pulled up 2 out in race won by Limited Edition (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
