towards rear, hit 5th, struggling 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, went right 1st, headed 6th, prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, narrowly headed when stumbled badly last, not recover
held up, good headway on inner after 10th to track leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, led run-in, driven out
in touch, blundered 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, hit 5th, short lived effort approaching 3 out
mid-division, hit 8th, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led 6th until after 3 out, soon ridden, rallied to take narrow advantage last, no extra when headed run-in
Nonrunner
A wide-open affair in which Baby Run is offered as the selection ahead of Andreas and Tysou. It is always dangerous to back horses coming off long absences but Nigel Twiston-Davies' is a past master of having them fit and ready first time up and a bold display can be anticipated. Tysou was well backed last time out when there appeared not to be too many reasons on the formbook to do so.If the rain stays away, his chances have to be respected. Andreas has paid the penalty for consistency as the handicapper has penalised accordingly. Fitness is assured and blinkers are on for the first time. Green Belt Flyer ran a poor race on debut for Venetia Williams and is surely much better than that run suggests. Darby Wall won over 3m1f so it is of obvious interest that Enda Bolger has opted to take this dramatic drop in trip. Bohemian Spirit is another to drop in trip and could have place claims if adapting to this softer surface. Kalca Mome would not be inconvenienced by any overnight rain. Baby Run is a tentative selection but in the absence of market information, we are prepared to take a chance.
Tysou (FR) 5-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway 8th, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 19l behind Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Baby Run (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Led, hung badly right on bend after 4th, headed 8th, led again 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, won at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (A) gs in Oct '05 beating Andreas (11-11) by 2l, 5 ran.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 16l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Green Belt Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Pressed leader, led 8th to 4 out, weakened 3 out, mistake next, 8th of 9, well behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Kalca Mome (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Close up, hit 9th, went 3rd 2 out, no impression on front pair when lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Kelrev (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 8th, mistake and weakened 4 out, 5th of 10, 22l behind Gallant Approach (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Darby Wall (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) In touch, went 2nd approaching 15th, led approaching last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating No Guarantees (10-6) by a nk, 10 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) fell at the 1st in race won by Lord Maizey (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs, 13 ran.
Another Joker 12-1 (11-10) Led, headed 4th, ridden and lost place 10th, soon behind, 6th of 7, well behind Bishop's Bridge (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 9l behind Yes Sir (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Jul.
Andreas (FR) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Locksmith 7-1 (11-5) Led to 8th, chased leader, hit next, weakened and blundered 3 out and mistake next, 7th of 9, 43l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.