chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd and hit last until no extra near finish
chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last until stayed on and regained 2nd near finish
made all, drew clear approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, lost place from 3rd
in touch, ridden to chase leaders from 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear and keen, hit 3rd, brief effort from 4 out, weakened from 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, one pace
held up, weakened from 3 out
in touch, weakened after 3 out
Last time out hurdle winners Sunsetten and The Panama Kid have to be respected despite their penalties but the extra weight may prevent either from following up and preference is for GERSHWIN. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding improved from his debut outing in a bumper last term and did so again for his first start over hurdles when a close fourth behind Somersby at Kempton. Given further improvement is possible, the five-year-old looks worth supporting to open his account over timber. Howard Johnson's Bobtante has been well held in all three starts in either bumpers or hurdles and of more interest may be Richard Fahey's Mighty Moon, who should come on for his recent debut over timber at Aintree. Brendan Powell's Benfleet Boy has a similar profile to Fahey's runner and he has to be respected. The Panama Kid looks the pick of the two previous former winners but Gershwin looks to be going the right way and gets the vote.
Sunsetten (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Always prominent, mistake 3 out and 2 out, led flat, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Front Of House (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) In touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, led before last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Son of Flicka (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Benfleet Boy 66-1 (11-0) Led, hit 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 27l behind Cockney Trucker (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Bobtante (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up, raced wide from 4th, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on from last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Calin Royal (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Gershwin (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway from 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 17, 12l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Gunfighter (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up behind, hit 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when hampered last, 10th of 13, well behind Southern Regent (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Kestrel Cross (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when hit last, last of 8, 32l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-5) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Mighty Moon 16-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 36l behind My Moment (11-8) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
What A Cliche 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 18, 39l behind Present Gesture (10-9) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Jun.
Hazy Oaks 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon driven and one pace, 7th of 15, 18l behind Elzahann (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Silver Bank 7-1 (10-5) Nvr on terms, 4th of 10, 18l behind Allborn Lad (12-0) at Kingston Blount 2m 4f ptp gf in Apr '07.
Solar Rock (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Behind, weakened and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
