always behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 11th, went 2nd briefly when hit 5 out, weakened
tracked leaders, hit 10th, went left 11th, weakened before 5 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 9th, plugged on for poor 4th from 4 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
in touch, hit 7th, headway after 11th, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, stayed on strongly
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, hit 10th, ridden after next, weakened 5 out, behind when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
chased leaders early, dropped rear after 5th, pulled up before 7th
keen in touch, joined leader 9th until after 11th, soon weakened
chased leaders until lost place quickly 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
mid-division until weakened after 11th, behind and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway to chase leader approaching 5 out, ridden when pecked 4 out, blundered 3 out, weakened
mistake 7th, always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out
led, 6 lengths clear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra
held up towards rear, some headway 7th, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Despite being frustrating this season Flying Falcon can get off the mark at the sixth attempt with Vitray and The Sawyer appearing the main dangers. Venetia Williams' charge was beaten out of sight last time at Huntingdon but that run is probably best forgotton as they raced on very deep conditions. A re-production of his hurdle form would see him land this. Vitray did not jump with any great fluency last time at Doncaster. He appears to have taken time to acclimatise since arriving from France so is probably best watched. Paul Nicholls did very well with his full brother Montifault, who relished a test of stamina and three miles so it might be what Vitray needs. The Sawyer has to be respected on his hurdles form but is another who has to reproduce it over the larger obstacles. He is capable of landing this but a handicap off his current mark is certainly attainable and that might be where he can get off the mark over fences. Market moves for Highland Games and Tomina should be noted as they hail form shrewd yards while Another Late Night is worthy of keeping an eye out for based on his Irish point-to-point form. He is another who should be winning a handicap or two. A beginners' chase where luck in running is necessary and Flying Falcon is the tentative choice.
Ackhurst (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden after 11th, weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Macmar (11-12) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Another Late Night (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 9th, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before next pulled up 2 out in race won by Mrs O'Malley (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f mdn chs (5) sft, 9 ran.
Cheating Chance (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Towards rear, headway 8th to track leaders, weakened 2 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Ballyhale (11-0) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf in May, 9 ran.
Cunning Pursuit 33-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place 4th, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, 36l behind Bay Hawk (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Dunbell Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Very Cool (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Flying Falcon 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, went 3rd and ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 33l behind Sherwoods Folly (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Highland Games (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, held when hit 2 out, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Commemoration Day (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gf in Apr.
Kingham 9-2 (11-12) Led and soon clear, hit 3rd and 4th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after and weakened, 8th of 13, 13l behind Tamreen (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr '06.
Lord West 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, behind from 5th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Classic Fiddle (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs, 9 ran.
Orrezzo (GER) 200-1 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden 8th, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 10l behind Climate Change (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Perseverance (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Led, headed 7th, chasing leaders when unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Menchikov (11-0) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) sft, 10 ran.
Shelomoh (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 3rd, weakened 12th, 6th of 8, well behind Barbers Shop (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs.
The Sawyer (BEL) 15-2 (10-11) Prominent, chased leader 8th, ridden 4 out, kept on well, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Tomina 5-2fav (11-12) Prominent, led after 2nd, made rest, ran on strongly, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Nov '05 beating Phar From Frosty (11-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Vitray (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 33l behind Nevertika (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Paradi (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 8, 44l behind Gabier (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
