held up, in touch, headway from 4th, headway to lead approaching last, driven clear flat
held up, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
chased leaders until driven and weakened approaching 2 out
led to 2nd, behind after 4th
chased leaders until driven and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, making headway on outside when mistake 2 out, rallied under pressure flat
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 2 out, headed approaching last where mistake, weakened flat
led 2nd until narrowly headed 2 out, rallied to regain 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner
always in rear, driven along and struggling 4th, tailed off
in touch to 4th, soon struggling, tailed off
L'Oudon, Figaro du Rocher and Mister Flint form the short list in the finale, with the selection being Figaro du Rocher. Given that he scored over fences from a 12-pounds higher mark at Carlisle recently, Figaro du Rocher catches the eye here and gets the vote. The handicapper has clobbered O'Toole, it would seem to us. Festive Chimes also has it to prove following a 10-pounds rise for his Huntingdon win. Crathorne may have a little improvement in him over today's longer trip and he is respected, while, lightly raced in this country, Magic Sky absolutely bolted up last time and, while that was only a seller, he looks better than that and a good run is certainly not ruled out.The Paul Nicholls-trained L'Oudon is very much a potential improver as he seemed to get it together at the end of last season. As such, he could be well-weighted. Mister Flint has run up a sequence over fences and could prove to be well-treated now over hurdles, so watch the betting with interest, and Magical Legend has shown enough in just a few starts for it to be suggested that he might go well. Overall, though, the vote goes to Figaro du Rocher.
O'Toole (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, stumbled badly and headed after 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace and pulled up at the last in race won by Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Crathorne (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) In touch, disputed lead 4 out, driven after next, soon one pace, 6th of 9, 14l behind Archie Babe (10-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Magic Sky (FR) 2-5fav (10-10) Held up, headway after 8th, no fluent 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft beating Flemingstone (10-1) by 18l, 9 ran.
L'oudon (FR) 4-1co-fav (11-12) Held up in touch, smooth headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, jumped right last, ridden and ran on well to lead close home, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Anemix (11-7) by a hd, 11 ran.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Close up, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf beating Wiggy Smith (10-10) by 4l, 11 ran.
Mister Flint 4-11fav (11-12) Made all, clear to 10th, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (E) gd in Sept '05 beating In The Frame (11-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Mith Hill 13-2 (10-4) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, blundered and lost place 4th, no chance after, 15th of 17, 46l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Lord Lington (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Behind, steady headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Caraman (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Magical Legend 5-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and close up when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 6l behind Absolut Power (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 15-2 (11-11) Prominent, led 4th, headed 4 out, led again 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Gone Too Far (11-7) by 9l, 7 ran.
Argento 18-1 (10-13) Jumped slowly 1st, last thereafter, jumped slowly 3rd, lost touch approaching 9th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Il Penseroso (10-13) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Aug.
Top Achiever (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leader, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 11, 45l behind Gidam Gidam (11-7) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
