chased leaders, led 5th to 8th, mistake, weakened next, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 8th, 5th, one pace, pushed along after 12th, weakened soon after
towards rear, headway from 12th, stayed on well under pressure run-in, nearest finish
behind, headway into mid-division 11th, ridden, struggling from next
held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, blundered, never going from 7th, struggling after
held up in mid-division, steady headway 11th, chased leaders from next, switched to inside to challenge last, led final 100 yards, soon clear, readily
slithered on landing, headed 1st, went 2nd 7th, led 9th to next, steadily weakened, well in rear when pulled up before last
never nearer than mid-division, behind from 10th, tailed off
always in rear, slow jump 2nd, well behind when blundered 10th
behind, 8th, pushed along after 12th, kept on flat, nearest finish
led 1st, blundered, headed 5th, remained handy, challenged from 12th, ridden to narrow lead last, headed, not pace of winner final 100 yards
mid-division, headway to challenge 12th, led soon after, narrowly headed last, stayed on same pace flat
in touch, headway to chase leaders 7th, challenged, mistake 11th, weakened next
chased leaders, tracked leader 8th, led 10th until soon after 12th, steadily weakened
always towards rear
A big field and chances held by many and PAULLIAC is put up as our selection with Shake The Barley and William Bonney others worthy of inclusion upon our shortlist. The David Pipe yard enjoyed a lucrative weekend and they could add to their tally with the six-year-old. The trip is obviously of some concern but on some of his hurdling form, he does look exceedingly well treated. Shake The Barley is always a threat if his jumping holds firm. He has won previously with plenty of give underfoot. William Bonney looks as if he has been laid out for this contest. A useful novice hurdler, his effort at Worcester suggests that he is worth a try here. Pur De Sivola lost his way with Alan King and it remains to be seen as to whether new surroundings make for improvement. Sovereign King has few issues in relation to the going and is sure to run his race. Far More Serious carries a 7lb penalty for a convincing rout at Hereford. He has clearly had issues in relation to training though has few miles on the clock. Nikos Extra finished third in a Wetherby race that has worked out well. Sninfia represents an unfashionable yard so might be a couple of points bigger than the formbook suggests. Paulliac is our idea of the most likely winner.
Pur De Sivola (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Struggling 5th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by From Dawn To Dusk (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Misty Dancer 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, headway approaching 11th, challenged 2 out until not fluent last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 7l behind Nudge And Nurdle (10-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Sovereign King 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, driven 11th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Present Glory (10-12) at Haydock 3m nov chs 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
William Bonney (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tended to jumped right, held up towards rear, headway 7th, left 3rd 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Kew Jumper (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Pauillac (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Behind from 5th, 17th of 23, well behind Andytown (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Nikos Extra (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Raced keenly, held up in touch, headway 12th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, rallied flat, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Rory Boy (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Manmoon (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader to 2nd, in touch, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Tataniano (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Sninfia (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, reminder 5th, headway approaching 8th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Kaldouas (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun '08, 10 ran.
Pistol Desbois (FR) 20-1 (10-0) With leader, led after 3rd, blundered 3 out, soon headed, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 29l behind Synchronised (10-4) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Giolla de (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 13l behind BallyGalley Bob (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Far More Serious (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, not fluent 2nd, slightly hampered 9th, led 4 out, drawing clear when mistake next, easily, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Midnight Haze (12-0) by 10l, 14 ran.
Shake The Barley (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders and mistakes, pushed along approaching 13th, weakened approaching 3f out, 4th of 6, 32l behind I Hear Thunder (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Ammunition (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, not quicken flat, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Jacarado (10-3) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Oncle Kid (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Towards rear, chased leaders after 13th, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Fortification (10-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 9 ran.
Sandymac (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 5 out, soon chasing winner, hard ridden to challenge next, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Master Somerville (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
