with winner, close 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 12th
held up in touch, lost place approaching 10th, stayed on from 2 out, nearest finish
made most and jumped right, edged left flat, driven out
held up, blundered 11th, ridden approaching 14th, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, left 2nd 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken after last
held up, quickly pulled up after 7th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 14th, in 3rd when blundered last, soon weakened
Killard Point deserves to win a race of this nature having been placed in his last five starts and has surprisingly not been raised by the handicapper but Caroline Bailey's gelding may again have to settle for minor honours with preference for Leopold, who gets the vote over Elegant Clutter. The last mentioned has claims on the pick of his form and could be of interest stepping up to this trip for the first time. Dream Falcon has slipped to a fair mark and has to be considered, as does Henry Daly's lightly raced Royal Kicks. The vote then goes to Leopold who has shown fair form since coming back from a lengthy lay off and he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to resume winning ways.
Thames (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-7) In touch, effort 8th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec '06.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake 9th, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 41l behind Here's Johnny (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Killard Point (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 12th to 15th, hit 18th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Alfadora (9-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Royal Kicks (FR) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped left 14th, blundered 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 44l behind Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs.
Dream Falcon 8-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Beau Michel (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 4 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Devils River (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Full On 16-1 (10-7) In touch, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Delray Beach (10-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Leopold (SLO) 14-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
