tracked leaders, blundered 13th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, struggling from 10th
led, headed approaching 12th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
tracked leaders, close 3rd when fell 15th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, chased leaders approaching 7th, led approaching 12th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, hit 1st, soon tracking leaders, lost place approaching 5th, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced from 4 out
held up, hit 11th, headway approaching 13th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well
held up in touch, hit 14th, headway to challenge 3 out, led approaching next, headed last, one pace
held up mid-division, blundered 12th, ridden along approaching 15th, soon struggling
with leader, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
King's Boy was pulled out of a stronger event earlier in the week and can take this prize, Farington Lodge and Alittlebitofpower look the main rivals. David Easterby's charge hasn't raced for some time and is prone to burst blood vessels, however on his day he is a decent performer in this type of company. Tom Greenall takes the ride today and the combination are expected to prove too good for these rivals. Farrington Lodge finished second to Red Rampage in a similar event at Newcastle recently and could be the one to bustle up the selection. Alittlebitofpower landed a point to point in good style last time and should be capable of reaching the frame. Oscar Pepper a reasonable performer on the level for David Baron is making his national hunt debut today and could prove best of the others. So a pretty modest affair and although his fitness has to be taken on trust, King's Boy should have too much class for his rivals and gets our vote.
Alittlebitopower 5-4fav won at Point To Point 3m ptp in Feb beating Jinful Du Grand Val by 15l, 7 ran.
Diamond Monroe (IRE) 20-1 Always behind, 9th of 12, 27l behind World Vision at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (E) gs in Oct.
Farington Lodge (IRE) 12-1 Held up in touch, blundered 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Red Rampage at Newcastle 3m hts chs (H) hvy in Feb.
Kings Boy (IRE) 8-11fav 2nd of 8, hd behind Donnegale at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in May '03.
Orleans (IRE) 16-1 7th of 16, 23l behind Gudasmum at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Oscar Pepper (USA) 9-1 Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, 12th of 19, 8l behind Mount Hillaby at York 1m hcp (E3) gf in Sept (Flat).
Sams Way 5-2 7th of 13, 16l behind Nought To Ninety at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Imps Way 20-1 Mid-division, ridden 12th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Star Glow at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (H) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
