led to 3rd, weakened quickly approaching 5th, tailed off
not fluent and pecked 1st, always in rear, mistake 4th, well behind after 9th, tailed off
raced keenly, chased leaders to after 4th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon nudged along, never in contention
mid-division on outside, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, no further progress 2 out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 4th, weakened approaching 3 out where mistake, tailed off
held up in rear, never in contention
in touch, lost place approaching 3rd, behind when not fluent 4th, hung left on bend approaching 3 out, passed beaten horses home straight
mid-division, struggling 4th, tailed off
in touch, chased winner after 5th until approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, drew clear from 2 out, easily
mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, jumped left last, never near leaders
in touch, pushed along after 5th, no chance with front pair, went 3rd before 2 out
not fluent, in rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, tailed off
An intriguing race where ADEUS AYRTON is just preferred to Rebel du Maquis, while others have claims. Philip Hobbs has his runners in great shape as the season is really about to get going, and Adeus Ayrton looks a nice sort to have on his side for the winter. The five-year-old gelding had a bumper run just over a year ago but has not seen the racecourse since. Good ground ought to suit and his trainer will surely have him fully fit after whatever has ailed him and ready to jump a hurdle here, and we will chance him. Rebel du Marquis will be plenty short enough, coming from the champion's yard, and having already been runner-up in three races in his native France. He has to prove himself on the ground but is likely to prove a formidable opponent. Tayarat has to give a stone away all around after a couple of wins over timber, including on fast ground at Plumpton last time. He doesn't get those preferred conditions here and looks vulnerable under so much weight. Superius was rated 98 on the flat when last seen in Ireland, around a year ago. He will appreciate this stiff test of stamina and the decent ground and is well worth a market check to see what confidence there is after his absence. Kauto The Roc showed little in bumpers but could well improve now tried over obstacles, while the same applies to Know Your Place, who is related to hurdle winners from 2m up to 2m 6f. Over The Hill made too many jumping errors on his debut at Market Rasen, but will be interesting if doing that better this time, although we will side with Adeus Ayrton.
Tayarat (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Made all, hit 1st and next, soon 25 lengths clear, remindered after 6th, reduced lead and pushed along after 3f out, 1 length ahead and driven when went badly left last, driven out (disqualified and placed 2nd), in a race won by Rockys Choice (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep, 9 ran.
Adeus Ayrton (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 9f out, stumbled 5f out, chased winner over 2f out, soon beaten, 2nd of 15, 17l behind Silver Kate (10-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Sep '08.
Bankers Bonus (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Ld/disp until ld from 6out, ran green 4out, hdd aftr 3out, 2l 2nd & no ex at last, ko onepcd, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Babblon Brooke (11-7) at Inchydoney 3m ire ptp gf in May.
Cardinal James (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 16, 33l behind Qroktou (11-2) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Cricket Boy 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Get Me Out Of Here (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Holden Caulfield (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Raced wide, held up, headway approaching 4 out, chasing winner and every chance on outside 2 out, no extra approaching last, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Zafar (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Aug.
Kauto The Roc (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, never a factor, 9th of 11, 24l behind Bellvano (11-6) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gd in Feb.
Kilshannig (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling after 5 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Tito Bustillo (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Know Your Place 10-1 (10-11) In rear, soon progress halfway, soon ridden and held, 7th of 11, well behind Aiteen Thirtythree (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Lord Raspberry 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 5f out, 13th of 15, well behind Poseidon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Jan '08.
Over The Hill 22-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 30l behind Shadow Dancer (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) (10-3) Prominent, not fluent, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Rhialco (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f chs hvy in May.
Robo (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind No Principles (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in May.
Shadow Wood (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent, mistake 2nd, behind 7th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Balthazar King (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd.
Strategic Approach (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) In touch, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, stumbled and fell 7th, in a race won by Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 18 ran.
Superius (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, 12th of 14, 35l behind Jane Austen (8-11) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f lsted stks sft in Oct '08 (flat).
Parazar (FR) 11-4 (10-5) In touch, headway after 6f, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 8, well behind Latin America (10-1) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Zaif (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Chased clear leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, 5th of 18, 20l behind Song of Songs (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '08.
