tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up, mistake 6th, never dangerous
tracked leader, led before 3rd, clear 6th, ridden out
led, headed before 3rd, remained prominent until fell 6th
tracked leaders, hit 1st, hampered 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway and mistake 8th, chased leaders 8th, stayed on same pace
Manorson, Chockdee and Conroy look the more obvious contenders on paper and our vote is for the first named. Manorson was just about the best of these over hurdles and if taking to the bigger obstacles, he has to be a major player. Connections would have probably preferred a little more juice underfoot but if hurdling form can be translated to the larger obstacles - he is difficult to get away from. Chockdee is another for whom more rain would be beneficial. A frustrating type over hurdles, his tally of just one maiden victory was no reflection of his latent ability. With the Nicholls horses not firing at full throttle - he could be one to oppose. Conroy has a bit to find on hurdles rating but he ran well against Rooster's Reunion at Ludlow and although he has followed that up with a fall - the fast ground would very much play into his hooves. Goblin has had more experience than most but this small framed horse is hardly the ideal conveyance over big fences. A gutsy battler - he tries hard without always receiving success in return for his labours. Serbelloni has left Micky Hammond and is now campaigned by Evan Williams. Second on her chasing bow, she has a bit to find on strict interpretation of the hurdles form. Amid The Chaos has shown little for a long time but he was held in high regard in Ireland by the Smurfit family and must be watched in the market. A tough race in which Manorson secures the tentative vote.
Chockdee (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Pulled hard and held up towards rear, good headway 4 out, jumped left 3 out and 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Crossbow Creek (11-5) at Taunton 2m beg chs (D) gf in Nov.
Conroy 5-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 7th, hit 8th, 4th and beaten, when fell 3 out fell 3 out in race won by Rapide Plaisir (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Cool Roxy 8-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Stagecoach Diamond (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Manorson (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, 3rd and challenged 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 24, 2 1/2l behind The Last Hurrah (9-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Goblin 33-1 (10-5) Held up, hampered 4th, headway 11th, never on terms, tailed off, 3rd of 11, well behind Billyvoddan (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (C) gd in Nov.
Amid The Chaos (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders to 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kristoffersen (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Guru 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 13, 20l behind Herakles (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Resplendent Star (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Prominent until weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Handy Money (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (3) gd.
