led, ridden when headed approaching 2 out, one pace
in rear, behind from 7th
in touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, led close home, all out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up rear, ridden 4 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and close up when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led approaching last, pecked and headed close home
towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear and keen, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 8th
in touch, ridden and lost place 5th, soon tailed off
Nonrunner
Astyanax, Business Traveller and Alexander Exchange are the three for the shortlist here and Astyanax is the choice. Alexander Exchange lost his maiden tag in impressive style last time but was expected to do so, backed down to odds on favourite. He does seem to have his own ideas about the game as he had earlier run out but he is reasonably treated and that win may have boosted his confidence. Business Traveller receives weight from all his rivals and showed improved form when last seen to pull off a 10-1 surprise at Ludlow. He has been off the track for almost five months but a reproduction of that effort would see him go close here. A Huntingdon winner last time where he showed gameness to score, Astyanax won in the spring at Newbury in impressive style. He clearly has talent and the suspicion is that we haven't seen the best of Nicky Henderson's runner yet. Astyanax can follow up.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, one pace 2 out, 6th of 12, 12l behind Aleron (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Mythical King (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Refinement (10-12) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr, 21 ran.
Borora 8-1 (11-3) Always behind, 10th of 12, well behind Ellerslie Tom (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Absolut Power (GER) 3-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Ragdale Hall (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Astyanax (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-13) Led 2nd, headed next, led again after 3rd, ridden 2 out, edged left after last, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept beating Time Marches On (9-11) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Aldiruos (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Ragdale Hall (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Magical Legend 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 4th, led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed and not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Proprioception (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Businessmoney Jake 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, stayed on, 5th of 15, 10l behind Here We Go (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Alexander Exchange (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Sept beating Starofthemorning (10-7) by 13l, 9 ran.
So Brash (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake 5th, behind from next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Fortune Point (11-8) at Worcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Sept.
Business Traveller (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, hit 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, wandered approaching last, ran on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Musally (11-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Ballybeg Glen (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, eased from 2 out, 17th of 20, 46l behind Rights Of Man (10-11) at Tralee 2m 1f mdn hdl gd in Aug '05.
