tracked leaders, hampered on bend approaching 8th, effort 3 out, weakened next
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and not fluent last, no extra
with leader, weakened quickly approaching 3 out
mid-division, under pressure 8th, stayed on, never able to challenge
mid-division, headway 7th, effort 3 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, chased leaders 7th, ridden 3 out, led last, ran on
in touch, mistakes 5th and 7th, behind when hit 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, never dangerous
behind, headway approaching 8th, never on terms
held up towards rear, weakened before 7th, pulled up after next
mid-division, under pressure before 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Havenstone should go well again but we'd rather take a chance with CARRICKBOY and will be interested to see if there's any support for Duly Noted. Havenstone sets the standard here and he should take all the beating if reproducing his latest effort which came in a competitive Cheltenham handicap; his trainer has a fine strike rate here and he's a major player. He is, however, a maiden after nineteen starts and vulnerable to a useful performer. There may not be too much strength in depth here but Arctic Ben, Duly Noted and Carrickboy are three that could fit the bill. Arctic Ben has disappointed since winning a bumper on debut and Duly Noted has been absent for a long time since winning an Irish point and running in a bumper which leaves us with the Williams runner. The Perth bumper in which he finished third has produced its share of winners and it was a pleasing performance. He will need to be on his mettle to score on his hurdling bow but Carrickboy may know enough about the game to make a winning start.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 7th, ridden soon after 4th, soon hung left and lost place, 8th of 9, well behind Tragic Realm (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bering de Lauriere (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Carrickboy (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd over 3f out until no extra near finish, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Diablo (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Chicken George (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 9th of 13, 32l behind Midsummer Magic (10-9) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Dais Return (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Dark Moon (GER) 28-1 (10-11) With leaders, ridden approaching 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 33l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Havenstone (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on again flat, 6th of 16, 7l behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
King Ar Aghaidh (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 16l behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Roseneath (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, close up approaching 9th, driven and struggling soon after 3 out, 5th of 8, 45l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Top Tiger 28-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 7l behind Dayia (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Duly Noted (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 14, 27l behind West Ridge (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec '06.
Mountain Fairy 50-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon pushed along in rear, behind 10f out, pulled up 7f out pulled up in race won by Rule For Ever (8-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar '07, 7 ran (Flat).
Sonny Sam (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 5l behind Graze On And On (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) frm in Oct.
Galley Slave (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 9, 33l behind Sydney Sling (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.