led, headed 1st, tracked winner until weakened after 2 out
made virtually all, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, clear last
held up, effort after 3 out, never on terms with leaders
in touch, ridden 3 out, took 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden on long run after 2 out, lost 2nd last
tracked leaders, weakened 6th
in touch, ridden 2 out, well beaten when left 4th last
towards rear, headway 6th, mistake 2 out, in 4th and held when fell last
in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
There's little strength in depth and it would be a surprise if the winner wasn't one from ZARRAFAKT, Den Of Iniquity and King Brex. Den Of Iniquity is the form pick on his efforts in bumpers in 2007 which saw him win his first two starts before finishing down the field in the Festival bumper at Cheltenham. He handles testing ground but has been off the track for a while and the yard isn't firing on all cylinders. It's for those reasons that we side with Zarrafakt even though his form is not outstanding. He was a six length winner of a modest course bumper on debut before shaping well over hurdles when coming home in second spot. The form is nothing out of the ordinary but it was an encouraging start to his hurdling career, he should improve and could start a warm order with doubts about the well being of Den Of Iniquity. Novikov was useful on the level, The Dodger Carey is worth a market check and King Brex may be able to improve on the form of his hurdling bow but Zarrafakt and Den Of Iniquity appeal as the likeliest winners with preference for the former.
A Bid Too Far (IRE) Lear Spear gelding out of Gentle Lady.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Switched left start, in rear, reminders 5f out, behind final 4f, last of 11, well behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec (Flat).
Den of Iniquity 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 17th of 24, 22l behind Cork All Star (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar '07.
Hungry For More 100-1 (11-4) Always rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Circus of Dreams (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
King Brex (DEN) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 14, 28l behind Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Nicobar (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Teddy's Reflection (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Novikov 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, nudged along before 2 out, never in race, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Micheal Flips (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Our George 20-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 34l behind Zarrafakt (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
The Dodger Carey (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 22, 19l behind The Gloves Are Off (11-10) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan '08.
You Can of Course (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Prominent, raced keenly, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 15, 41l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 6-4 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 5th, chased winner last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Covert Mission (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hobb's Dream (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and effort 3f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 11, 26l behind Pepe Simo (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
