jumped well, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led next, made rest, going strongly and in command after 3 out, easily
held up in 5th and off the pace, not fluent and reminders 5th, driven along from 3 out, stayed on to poor 3rd after last
held up in rear, blundered 3rd, fell 8th
chased leader, led 9th, headed next, lost 2nd next, stayed in modest 3rd and no chance when weakened to 4th after last
chased leading trio, went right 5th, chased leading pair from 4 out, went 2nd before next, no chance with winner when hit last
led at decent pace, hit 6th, headed 9th, lost 2nd after 4out, jumped poorly after, weakened and no chance when blundered 2 out
Paul Nicholls has high hopes for GHIZAO this season and there will be some long faces if he can't get his chasing career off to a winning start. He does have to bounce back from disappointing runs at Cheltenham and Aintree but he's only lightly raced and can get back on track. Pigeon Island has the edge in experience but is probably better coming off a strong pace in a large field, Captive Audience proved a little in and out last term and faces a tough introduction whilst Shopfrontspecialst has something to find. Kilmurry is an interesting new recruit for Colin Tizzard but of more interest is Kotkidy who was a long way clear and showing no signs of stopping when falling at Listowel and receives a handy weight for age allowance.
Kilmurry (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Close up in 2nd, jumped well, led 3rd to 7th, close 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gf in Aug beating Lady Hillingdon (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Pigeon Island 11-1 (10-13) In rear, mistake 6th, soon ridden along, never in contention, 9th of 16, 43l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Shopfrontspecialst (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear and keen, went 3rd at 12th, tracked leader after last, led flat, held on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Sep beating Lord Larsson (11-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Captive Audience (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, jumped right 1st, jumped right and headed 3rd, led again 7th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 21, 23l behind Picture This (10-7) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Ghizao (GER) 9-2fav (11-9) Towards rear, headway 5th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 8th of 21, 12l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-12) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Kotkidy (FR) 10-3 (10-10) Led, clear from 4th, about 15 lengths clear when fell 6 out, in a race won by Glenstal Abbey (11-7) at Listowel 2m 1f nov chs gd in Sep, 6 ran.
