pulled hard in rear, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, weakened before last
led to approaching 4th, weakened quickly, soon tailed off
chased leaders, led 4th to 6th, headed and weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outside after 6th, soon weakened
held up in touch, led on bit after 3 out, pushed out comfortably
in touch to 3rd, behind from next
always prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 4th, led 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, ridden and headway 6th, weakened next
held up mid-division, effort 6th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
behind, effort 6th but soon weakened
held up rear, headway when not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
keen in rear, still behind when ridden 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
In Accord should strip fitter for his recent return at Uttoxeter but Henry Daly's gelding needs to improve to get the better of Almost Broke, who is better known as a chaser but looks to have been found a decent opportunity to open his hurdling account in a race where the main threat may come from Durante. The last mentioned has not been seen since February but lack of a recent run need not be of concern as trainer Jim Old can produce his runners fit after an absence; however, he will need to step up on all known form to trouble the selection and is probably best watched. Robert Alner's Le Rochelais made an encouraging return at Uttoxeter last month and has to be of interest on ground that should suit. Nagam is less exposed than most of these and could improve, while Redlynch Spirit is likely to do better once sent chasing. Sidcup's Gold and Wee Anthony are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Almost Broke who should come on for his reappearance at Aintree and if reproducing his chase form may be too classy for his rivals here.
Almost Broke 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, close 4th when fell at the 13th in race won by Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 23 ran.
Durante (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders and hit last, stayed on well run-in, just held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Back Nine (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gd in Feb.
In Accord 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 7l behind Oscar Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Le Rochelais (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Buck Whaley (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Nov '04.
Nagam (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Held up behind, some headway 6th, never on terms, 7th of 16, 26l behind Mr Pointment (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Redlynch Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Very keen in rear, mistake 5th, 4th when mistake 2 out, 4th of 9, 48l behind Gungadu (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Sidcup's Gold (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Never a factor, 15th of 18, well behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gs in Nov.
Wee Anthony (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5f out, one pace 3f out, 5th of 14, 13l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
