held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon tailed off
prominent, lost place approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
with leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching last
held up, weakened approaching 4 out
led, headed after 4th, chased leaders, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, ridden and blundered 3 out, weakened next
held up mid-division, blundered 5th, chased leaders 4 out, led 3 out, headed towards finish
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, chased leaders approaching 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression
with leaders, led after 4th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
ST KILLIAN'S RUN is a reasonable starting point in a race that has gone to Nicholls for the past two years with Glebehall Bay and Golden Dream likely dangers. Paul Nicholls has had a few turned over at short odds so far this season and his runner in this contest will need to step up on the form that he showed last season but it will be surprising if there isn't more to come so a chance is taken with St Killian's Run. Glebehall Bay shaped fairly well in a Bangor bumper and must be respected with this switch to hurdling likely to suit. Golden Dream won twice between the flags in Ireland and is just the sort that his yard excels with. He finished down the field on his one run under Rules but it would be no surprise to see him fare better on debut for this yard. Pearlysteps showed a decent level of form in three starts last term and is another that enters calculations, Strategic Approach hasn't shown his best for a while but has ability, Song Sung Blue has place claims whilst Terfel's Toscar is of obvious interest given his connections but St Killian's Run gets the nod.
Delcombe 15-2 (10-3) Mid-divisision until weakened 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb '08, 21 ran.
Glebehall Bay (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Chased leader, led 5f out, ridden approaching 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Moorlands Teri (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) hvy in Feb.
Golden Dream (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division best, 17th of 23, 29l behind Tofino Bay (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f NH flat gd in Apr.
Inchando (FR) (10-7) 98th of 13, 24l behind Maille Tayson (11-4) at Lyon-parilly(FR) 2m 1f hdl in Jun '08.
My Friend Sandy 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden after 9th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 17, 35l behind Picture This (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Pearlysteps 11-1 (11-2) In touch, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 4th of 8, 11l behind Tanks For That (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Rokinhorsescience (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 5f out to chase leaders, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 18l behind Shacklesborough (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Song Sung Blue (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Held up, headway 3 out, led on bit approaching last, mistake, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Ajzal (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Strategic Approach (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) In touch, pushed along after 5th, no chance with front pair, went 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 16, 27l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Terfel's Toscar (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Jill's Girl.
The Donserelli 7-2 (10-9) Behind, pulled hard, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 12, 31l behind Persian Run (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Me Julie 50-1 (10-7) Made most until headed approaching 4 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Tell Massini (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.