led, headed 4 out, ridden 3 out, relegated to 4th when left 3rd 2 out, soon outpaced by front pair
chased leaders, not fluent and rider lost iron briefly 7th, disputing 2nd when left chasing winner 2 out, soon upsides, one pace and no impression final 100 yards
behind from 3rd, tailed off 6th, left 4th 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, joined for that position when fell 2 out
tracked leader, closed 4th, led 4 out, pressed briefly after last, soon asserted, ran on well
None of those to have jumped a fence look like superstars and so this may fall into the lap of the classy hurdler SNAP TIE who is already prominent in the betting for the Arkle here next March. Phillip Hobbs holds this son of Pistolet Bleu in very high regard and it is no surprise, having finished third in the Supreme Novices' in 2008 and second to Harchibald in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Last season didn't quite go to plan with just three fairly modest efforts, however the switch to fences may relight his fire and a win is anticipated. If he fails to jump the obstacles, then it may be Pigeon Island who picks up the pieces. Although he was a very costly failure on his recent chasing debut, he may just have needed the run after almost a year off and so his run cannot be judged too harshly. The Pogson's can spring a surprise but Musical Weld looks up against it, Safari Journey is an obvious second string and is yet to flourish over fences, leaving just Rippling Ring as a danger. He was a solid hurdler but hasn't looked a natural so far over fences. He cannot be dismissed too readily however he hasn't excelled at Prestbury Park in the past and so giving 5lbs away to Snap Tie looks tough. The latter, although not huge in size, is taken to prove his athleticism with a win.
Rippling Ring (SAF) 5-2fav (11-6) Led, headed 4 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Archie Boy (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m noc chs (3) gd in Aug.
Safari Journey (USA) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, mistake last, stayed on under pressure flat, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Fit To Drive (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Musical Weld 20-1 (10-13) Led, soon clear, challenged when fell 3 out, in a race won by Noticeable (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m noc chs (3) gf, 4 ran.
Pigeon Island 1-5fav (11-4) Led from 2nd, mistake 8th, mistake 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, caught post, 2nd of 3, shd behind Regent's Secret (11-4) at Perth 2m beg chs (5) gd in Sep.
Snap Tie (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 6th of 14, 6l behind Noble Alan (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Gr2 (1) gd in Apr.
