held up, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway after 4 out, kept on from 2 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, clear from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened 6th
held up towards rear, reminders 6th, weakened next
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
led, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in mid-division, hit 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened last
A competitive race which should throw up winners during the course of the season. CHARTREUX is taken to come out on top today at the main expense of Black Jack Blues and Bai Zhu amongst others. David Pipe's gelding is well regarded and gave credence to connections' hopes when landing a Warwick bumper on debut from which the second, third and fifth have all done their bit to boost the form. This is a fairly stiff task for his first run over hurdles but the Irish point winner may prove to be up to the task. Black Jack Blues has already proved himself to be an above-average performer and stepped up on the form of his first run over hurdles behind Bellvano when finding only Zazamix too strong at Bangor. The winner ran a shocker next time out but did the same last year so it wouldn't pay to judge the form of the run through him although it will give Nicky Henderson an idea of where he stands with Bai Zhu and Universal Soldier. Lady Roberta has experience on her side but looks opposable in this company but there should be more to come from Charlie Mann's Irish point winner For Non Stop and Philip Hobbs' Present To You. They may be best watched today unless the market suggests otherwise and the market should also be a pointer to the chances of our selection.
Bai Zhu (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch and keen, held from 7th, 9th of 14, 45l behind Michel Le Bon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec '08.
Black Jack Blues (IRE) 5-4fav (10-7) Led and keen, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Chartreux (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Made all, strongly challenged from 2f out, kept on strongly under pressure (no time taken), won at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec beating Anquetta (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Dromore Hill (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, towards rear, ridden before 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 18, well behind Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
For Non Stop (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, shaken up 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 15, 22l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Goodwill Phil 33-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, soon in touch, mistake 5th, challenged 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, dis behind Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Master Paddy (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 2 out, 10th of 15, well behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
No More Whispers (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, soon weakened and behind, last of 6, well behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Not Right Now (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led until over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Full Of Joy (10-11) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Present To You (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 14, 15l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Timeshift (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, jumped path after 6th, ridden after 9th, stumbled when weakening 3 out, 6th of 11, 41l behind Jau (11-0) at Hereford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Universal Soldier (IRE) Winged Love gelding out of Waterland Gale.
Lady Roberta (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 14, 8l behind Four Chimneys (11-4) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 8Evens09 hvy in Dec.
She's On The Case (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on outside, blundered badly 4 out, behind after, not recover, tailed off, 10th of 14, 49l behind Asturienne (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
