chased leaders, led 6th, driven out
with leader, lost place 3 out
held up and keen, hung left throughout, one pace from 3 out
mid-division, weakened from 3 out
held up and keen, headway 3 out, one pace from next
held up mid-division, one pace from 3 out
held up and keen, mistake 1st, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
behind from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, every chance last, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on from last
behind, never dangerous
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, one pace
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
led to 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3 out, outpaced next, kept on from last
Plenty of runners but the field can quickly be whittled down to a handful with realistic claims. The Apprentice can land the honours with Blackpool Billy and Sunnyhillboy feared most. Ballynalty Express and Important Business are two others to consider but Lease Lend could struggle under his penalties and Kahrayn now has a bit to prove. The form of the selection's hurdle win has hardly been boosted by the vanquished horses but he is held in high regard by his trainer who is enjoying a decent run at present. The experience will not have been lost on him and he can be expected to improve on that form today. Blackpool Billy has shown a smart level of form in bumpers and market confidence behind his chances on his hurdling debut should be heeded as he could be an exciting prospect. Sunnyhillboy justified favouritism in a Huntingdon bumper with the minimum of fuss on Boxing Day. That form may not match that of the selection and Blackpool Billy but he could do no more than win and is respected. However, the vote goes to The Apprentice.
Lease Lend 6-1 (11-5) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 11-1 (10-12) With leader, reminders 5th, led 10th until 12th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, behind when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Starzaan (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft, 5 ran.
The Apprentice (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) In touch, reminders after 6th, headway 8th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, joined last, hard ridden and kept on, all out, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Mister Pink (10-12) by a hd, 10 ran.
Apache Brave (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, hit 6th, headway next, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out, 10th of 15, well behind Bennynthejets (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Ballynalty Express (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division and keen, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Crocodiles Rock (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Blackpool Billy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up, headway to track leaders after 6f, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Charity Lane (10-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Chancery Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 33l behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Cherry Tot Karinga Bay gelding out of an unraced mare.
Cumbrian Prince 80-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, jumped path over 6f out, soon ridden and weakened, 16th of 18, well behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Chased leaders and keen, weakened 5f out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Nulato (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Fresh Winter 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, soon pushed along, never near leaders, 5th of 15, 21l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Gillie Brown Alflora gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Good Evening (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, prominent, reminders after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 16, 45l behind The Sliotar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Important Business (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after last, 5th of 17, 8l behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Jimmytheblacksmith (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 15th of 18, 42l behind Broughton Green (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Kahrayn 5-2jt-fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 15l behind Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Lewis's World 80-1 (10-2) Prominent to 7th, 7th of 16, 34l behind Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Morenito (FR) 100-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 7th, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 16, 20l behind Pettifour (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Mr Merlot 40-1 (10-12) Always in rear, behind from 4th, 11th of 14, well behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Oxley (FR) 50-1 (10-3) In touch, lost place over 6f out, switched right just over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 8th of 20, 7l behind Little Bit of Hush (11-2) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr '06.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, soon ridden and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 4-5fav (10-11) Held up in close 4th, went 2nd over 3f out, shaken up to lead 2f out, soon in command and clear, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gf in Nov beating Shampers (10-13) by 12l, 4 ran.
