chased leaders to 9th, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, blundered 7th, outpaced 10th, no danger after
not fluent and behind, struggling from 10th, tailed off
always behind, pulled up before 11th
mistakes, mid-division, headway 4 out, effort when blundered next, ridden and kept on from 2 out
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
held up, headway 12th, led 2 out soon driven, stayed on well
chased leader, outpaced 9th, kept on from 2 out, no impression
mistakes and behind, blundered 8th, pulled up before next
always behind, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, lost place 10th, soon behind
mistake 1st, behind when blundered and unseated rider next
in touch, headway 9th, challenged 12th, every chance 4 out, ridden and no impression approaching last
Not Left Yet makes the long haul up from Devon with leading claims, and gets the vote over Master Albert and Corlande. Not Left Yet was quite highly tried over hurdles last year, his one success coming at the big Cheltenham November meeting, but he has failed to progress since, even with the aid of a first-time visor at Taunton. He may well have found that track too sharp though, and it is not hard to see why David Pipe has sent him on his longest journey yet for his introduction to the bigger obstacles. As long as he treats the fences with respect, the five-year-old can reveal his true potential, with Richard Johnson in the saddle. Master Albert came third in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper in 2004 when trained by David Wachman, and now sports the silks of J P McManus on his chase debut. By Supreme Leader out of a Deep Run mare, if ever an animal was bred for this game then he is, and he can give the selection most to do if fit. Corlande was not in the same league as the first two mentioned over timber, but goes on testing ground and has won round here in the past, so has to be given a mention at least, while the rest are best watched to see how they shape against the principals. The vote goes to Not Left Yet.
Ad Murum (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching next, 8th of 14, 27l behind Welsh Dream (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Corlande (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) With leader, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped right last, hard ridden and hung left last, stayed on gamely, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb beating Just Beth (10-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hatton House (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leader, mistake 1st, every chance when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 13l behind Red Scally (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Master Albert (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, no extra under pressure in 3rd from before straight, 4th of 11, well behind Alickadoo (10-3) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 hvy in Nov.
No Guarantees 14-1 (11-9) Led to after 1st, remained prominent, led after 7th, strongly pressed from 3 out, mistake 2 out, hard ridden after last, stayed on, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr beating A Bit Of Fun (11-11) by 2l, 16 ran.
Not Left Yet (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up, headway 8th, mistake last, switched right and kept on flat, 2nd of 11, nk behind Twofan (11-3) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
See You There (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, hit 2nd and 11th, lost touch from 13th, 5th of 7, well behind Kinburn (10-11) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
More Likely 33-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3 out, chanced next, no extra flat, 5th of 15, 15l behind One Sniff (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
