tracked leader from 3rd, hung badly right towards stables after 11th, led 15th, headed 17th, led again 3 out, idled flat
in touch, reminders and lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 10th
towards rear, headway 15th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 16th, pulled up before 5 out
in rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led, mistake and headed 13th, rallied 15th, left in lead briefly 4 out, weakened last
in touch, led 13th, headed 15th, led again 17th, blundered, soon headed and not recover
tracked leaders, ridden after 17th, soon held
Rafaello is interesting but backing him involves a bit too much guesswork for our liking; instead we'll side with HILLS OF ARAN ahead of The Cool Guy. Keith Goldsworthy's gelding is a tough as old boots performer who has run some fine races over hurdles. He was a winner off a mark of 140 here in October when ridden by Tony McCoy who is back on board today; he will be hoping to make it four from six on the gelding as he tries fences once again. Rafaello was a faller when last seen back in December of 2006. That was his chasing debut and whilst it is encouraging that connections have kept the faith, it will be interesting to see how he jumps back on the track. Carnival Town has become very disappointing of late and needs to bounce back with a tongue tie on for the first time, whilst Premier Bleu makes her debut under rules in a fair-looking contest. Tank Top has shown ability and Tom George's gelding has improved for fences despite not winning; his recent Newbury second and an earlier run behind Shining Gale make him of interest today. The Cool Guy has tackled some tough opposition in three chasing starts but this represents a big drop in grade. However his yard are going through a quiet patch and so we will turn to Hills Of Aran as the answer to a tricky puzzle.
Carnival Town 20-1 (10-12) Tracked winner ridden approaching 10th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Nevada Royale (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Catch N Drive (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 3rd, reminders, weakening when hit 8th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Brenin Cwmtudu (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Hills Of Aran 15-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders until lost place 9th, rallied after 13th, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Wind Instrument (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Premier Bleu (FR) (12-0) 3rd of 14, 13l behind Tricky Trickster (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gs in Apr.
Scobie Nail (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, struggling 11th, outpaced approaching 5 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Wind Instrument (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Tank Top 10-3 (11-3) Made most to 15th, stayed chasing winner, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tricky Trickster (11-5) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec.
The Cool Guy (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leader, hit 7th, lost 2nd 9th, ridden and hit 12th, weakened and hit 4 out, kept on to take poor 4th flat, 4th of 5, well behind Calgary Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Miss Fleur 25-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place from 6th, tailed off 9th, 6th of 10, well behind Rate of Knots (10-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.
Raffaello (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) In touch, mistake and rider lost irons 2nd, steady headway from 11th, ridden and narrow leader when fell 3 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec '06, 10 ran.
