held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, not fluent last, one pace
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 7 out
held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 10th, never dangerous
led, not fluent 7th, headed 9th, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway between last 2, stayed on well to lead towards finish
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, led 9th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 5 out
held up, headway 5 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
VIEL GLUCK is taken to make a winning debut over fences ahead of Ballynure and Finbin. The selection does lack experience over the larger obstacles but he's from a yard that has plenty of good chasing talent in its stables and it would be no surprise to see him leave his hurdling form behind. Ballynure won back to back races in the spring of 2008 which bodes well for his chances of following up his easy win at Hexham. He's 10lbs higher but did win by 24 lengths and has won from higher marks in the past. Finbin had a progressive profile last season over hurdles and fences and there should be more to come from him this term as he still appeals as being ahead of the handicapper whilst Toy Gun can't be ignored given his trainer's rich vein of form but preference is for Viel Gluck.
Viel Gluck (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 12, 30l behind Now This Is It (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Lethem Present (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Led to 4th, remained prominent, weakened quickly 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Silly Wupple (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct '08, 10 ran.
Finbin (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway under pressure 4 out, stayed on to go 15 lengths 2nd at last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Sam Cruise (10-3) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Toy Gun (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Prominent, led 7th, headed 10th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Chernik (11-7) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Simply Smashing (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Prominent, lost place after 3rd, well behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Pugnacity (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cond nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sep, 11 ran.
Shulmin 18-1 (10-13) Held up, outpaced 12th, never troubled leaders, 10th of 12, well behind Astyanax (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Ballynure (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, led 10th, headed 4 out, remained close up, led after 2 out, ridden clear, eased towards finish, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Chapel Flowers (10-12) by 24l, 13 ran.
Treehouse 17-2 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced when hit 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 33l behind Onthegoagain (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f stks (5) gd.
Hever Road (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, behind next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Classic Clover (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd, 13 ran.
Silver Dagger 20-1 (10-9) Behind, driven and getting detached 10th, refused next, in a race won by Classic Clover (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd, 13 ran.
Bullies Acre (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Led to 3rd, chased leader, ridden after 2 out, one pace when pecked last, 6th of 12, 11l behind Panthers Run (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
