disputed lead, led 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner flat, kept on gamely to hold on for 2nd
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, struggling next
held up towards rear, raced keenly, some headway approaching 3 out, never in contention, not fluent last
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 2 out, switched right before last, went left and hit slight, stayed on flat
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
not fluent, always in rear, lost touch after 7th, tailed off
soon pressing leader, not fluent 7th, still challenging 2 out, hung left and beaten approaching last
held up in mid-division, progress from 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well flat
raced keenly, led to 2nd, remained prominent, beaten approaching last
mid-division, headway 6th, mistake next, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, shaken up approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last, never near leaders
in touch, hit 7th, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, never reached leaders, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway on inside after 2 out, kept on, never reached leaders
mid-division, headway on outside before 6th, weakened before 2 out
in touch, not fluent 5th, soon pushed along, weakened next, behind when pecked 3 out
TIMPO is the suggestion in the opening contest ahead of the obvious selection Pacha D'Oudairies whilst we're also interested in It's A Discovery. Historically Henry Daly doesn't have many runners or winners in this month but he's had a couple run well so far this term and it may be worth taking a chance with Timpo towards the bottom of the weights. He shaped well on debut in a valuable Newbury bumper that was won by Wednesday's impressive winner Diamond Harry. He made a winning start to last season, ran well second time out before failing to run his race on his latest start; he embarks on his new campaign on a reasonable mark and is worth an interest. Philip Hobbs has a decent record in the race but Fair Along has never won a handicap hurdle and McCoy prefers Thunder Rock to Pearl King. Thunder Rock is not entirely straightforward and makes no great appeal whilst Supreme Being will need to improve on the form that saw him land two sellers earlier in the year. Pacha D'Oudairies is lightly raced and has the potential to improve and it would be no great surprise to see him do so but bookmakers are unlikely to take many chances with him. It's A Discovery has been off the track for a long time but she was very impressive on her hurdling bow at Towcester and in winning two of her three starts in bumpers and should be competitive from her initial mark. We'll be watching her with interest but have opted for Timpo.
Fair Along (GER) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, led briefly 3rd, dropped to 4th next, no impression from 4 out, soon trailing, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Twist Magic (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Pearl King (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Behind, tailed off when blundered 10th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Always Waining (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Sept, 15 ran.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 5-2fav (11-11) Held up, headway before 2 out, hung right and chased winner last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 4l behind De Blanc (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Tot Of The Knar 10-1 (11-1) Towards rear, steady headway 3 out, effort 2 out, stayed on to lead flat, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Ursis (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sept.
Swordsman (GER) 10-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 44l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug.
Tampa Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and lost touch after 9th, weakening when blundered 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Ohana (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, reminders halfway, soon behind, 12th of 15, 47l behind Ursis (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sept.
Mirage Dore (FR) 9-4jt-fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden after last, stayed on to lead flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May beating Storymaker (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Supreme Being (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) 6th of 10, 21l behind Cool Running (11-0) at Tralee hcp hdl 0-140 sft.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 15, 16l behind Ursis (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sept.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 11-2fav (11-6) In touch until weakened 3 out, 14th of 17, 23l behind Majaales (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
It's A Discovery (IRE) 2-1 (10-10) Always prominent, led after 6th, clear after 3 out, eased flat, won at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Castlecrossings (10-9) by 16l, 14 ran.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Behind, jumped slowly 3rd, struggling 10th, mistake next, tailed off and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Gypsy George (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gs in May, 11 ran.
Lordsbridge (USA) 10-3jt-fav (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Oumeyade (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Timpo (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Prominent until weakened 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Jumped right, led to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jam Packed (11-9) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Sept, 12 ran.
