always travelling, tracked leaders, went 2nd at the 6th, stalked leader, good jump to lead last and extended
led, mistake 3 out, soon quickened pace, ridden after 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, readily outpaced after 3 out, went moderate 3rd next
tracked leader until 6th, readily outpaced after 3 out, weakened after next
dwelt badly start, always tailed off
Nonrunner
The welcome return of Black Jack Ketchum for the season gives this race huge appeal and he is taken to score; his main rival looks to be Blazing Bailey. Black Jack Ketchum has put together quite a CV, which includes seven wins from seven starts, those victories including the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last season, followed by a Grade 1 event at Aintree. Quite simply, he is impossible to oppose. The Aintree Grade 2 runner-up, Blazing Bailey - who has already scored this season - looks best of the rest, but the remainder, apart from Thierry Doumen's lightly-raced and hard to assess runner, Palmridge, are rated upwards of 31`pounds inferior to the selection. All of which returns us to the selection, Black Jack Ketchum.
Black Jack Ketchum (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, led on bit after 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Apr beating Money Trix (11-4) by 5l, 11 ran.
Blazing Bailey 4-1 (11-10) Led, hit 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, rallied to lead again flat, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Slew Charm (10-1) by 2l, 6 ran.
Palmridge (GER) (10-4) Won at Lyon Parilly 2m 3f hdl hvy in Nov beating Saintongeais (9-13) by 6l, 6 ran.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 7th, ridden 13th, left clear 3 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) gf in Jul beating Alikat (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sarahs Quay (IRE) (10-3) Blundered 3rd, soon dropped back, last of 8, well behind Rock And Palm (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 4f hdl sft in Apr.
Magnifico (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Led 1st, stayed prominent, led again 7th, headed after 3 out, with leader and chance last, held flat, 2nd of 11, nk behind Rowley Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.