held up, good headway to track leaders before 9th, led 2 out, headed last, one pace run-in
always behind, tailed up and pulled up before last
behind, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, kept on one pace run-in
always behind, mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
led to 2nd, tracked leaders until weakened before 4 out
behind, headway into mid-division when blundered 11th, weakened under pressure 3 out
close up, effort to chase leading trio 3 out, weakened after next
led 6th to 7th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 11th
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, led 7th to next, led 10th, headed 2 out, rallied under pressure to lead last, kept on run-in
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 10th
in touch until weakened before 12th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 9th to next, stayed chasing leaders, one pace last
mid-division, lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
held up, headway from 9th, chased winner 4 out, weakened under pressure 2 out
in touch, blundered 6th, weakened 10th, soon tailed off
Sitting Duck is the pick over New Leader, First De La Brunie, Presenting Express and Lizzie Bathwick to name but a few in with chances. A fairly open affair on paper is taken to go to Sitting Duck on the back of a promising chase debut at Huntingdon three weeks ago. Brendan Powell's charge, a half-brother to Colonel Frank, tried to make all over three miles that day, but predictably tired as they turned for home and had to settle for second place. The slight drop back in trip should help today, and as he will strip fitter now, the six-year-old must go close. There are plenty of dangers though, not least First De La Brunie who was not subjected to a lot of pressure when runner-up on his return over fences at Leicester. The ex-French four-year-old will surely be placed to good effect in time. Presenting Express did not jump well on the last of his two outings over fences at Huntingdon last winter, but ran a blinder over hurdles on his comeback at Fontwell three weeks ago, just touched off in a photo, and with his stable in better form now, he is another to consider. Paul Keane won this 12 months ago with Barton May, so despite sharing topweight, Lizzie Bathwick, a promising third on ground that would have been too fast on her chase bow at Taunton, cannot be ignored, nor can New Leader who impressed with his jumping when scoring over further here a fortnight ago. Gerrard will need the run, and for the winner we return to Sitting Duck.
Lizzie Bathwick (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, ran on well flat, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Supreme Tadgh (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Thorpeness (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Behind, weakened and struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Sungates (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (E) hvy in Jan '04, 12 ran.
Bar Gayne (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Prominent until weakened after 4th, 9th of 15, 39l behind Arctic Blue (10-4) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Geography (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) In rear when mistake and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by State of Play (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (D) gs, 6 ran.
Great Benefit (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, headway and mistake 8th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 14, 46l behind King Coal (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
Lucky Luk (FR) 12-1 (10-3) In rear when mistake 3rd and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Runaway Bishop (10-1) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
First De La Brunie (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Eau Pure (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
Sitting Duck 15-2 (10-3) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Sweet Bird (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
Presenting Express (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) In touch, led after 5th, headed approaching 2 out, led soon after next, no extra when headed close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Brave Spirit (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hdl 0-90 (F) sft.
Magic Red 10-1 (11-6) With leaders, led 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, 8th of 17, 23l behind Mags Two (10-1) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Sept.
It's Official (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 7th of 10, well behind Jackson (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Opportunity Knocks 33-1 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden 10th, kept on one pace from 4 out, 4th of 14, 8l behind King Coal (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
Gerrard (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Prominent, lost place approaching 7th, hit 10th, rallied approaching last, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Meggie's Lad (10-8) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
I'm For Waiting 18-1 (10-11) Led 2nd to 12th, soon ridden, weakened 14th, 4th of 6, well behind Special Conquest (11-2) at Southwell 3m 2f beg chs (E) gd in Apr.
New Leader (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up in rear but in touch, headway to track leading pair 11th, led 4 out, in command before 2 out, stayed on well., won at Folkestone 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf beating Ebony Jack (10-3) by 7l, 6 ran.
Croghan Loch (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Jumped right 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, hit 12th, chased winner from 4 out until 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, 18l behind New Leader (10-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf.
