tracked leaders, ridden when not much room 2 out, switched right, kept on same pace
hit 1st, mid-division until 4th, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last
led until 3rd, ridden after 5th, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, led 2 out, kept on well, pushed out
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed when blundered and rider lost irons 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 6th, never able to get on terms
mid-division, hit 6th, headway after next, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
mid-division until after 7th
Nonrunner
It will be interesting to see how the market shapes up for the Paul Nicholls runner Puccini on his racecourse debut but he is hard to back with any confidence despite his connections and a better bet looks to be stable companion EARTH DREAM, who gets the verdict with Portside rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed promise in bumpers last season and was still in contention when unseating Ruby Walsh on his hurdling debut at Kempton last month; he is taken to make amends for that today. Nicky Henderson has his team in good form at present and his runner Proud Presence has to be respected first time out over hurdles having shown ability on his bumper debut when last seen in April. Postmaster has won each of his last two starts but has more to do here in better company and he looks best watched under his penalties. Gary Moore's Wyeth is another with penalties to carry and of more interest may be the French import Mont Present, who is making his debut for Philip Hobbs. Alan King's Portside has had the benefit of one run in a point-to-point and has to be considered but it is hard to get away from the selection Earth Dream. (Nick Millard)
Wyeth 7-1 (10-12) Held up, took closer order 5th, chased leaders after 3 out, challenged last, led and quickened clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Apache Dawn (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Crispian (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Dream of Olwyn (9-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Oct (Flat).
Drombeg Pride (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, 8th of 12, 39l behind Bergo (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Earth Dream (IRE) 6-5jt-fav (10-12) Tracked leader, veered left at 5th, led 2 out, driven between last 2, joined when mistake and unseated rider at the last in race won by Nikos Extra (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Feel The Force (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division until 5th, soon behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Herons well (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in May, 10 ran.
Major Cain (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, until ridden and weaken quickly 6th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Bergo (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Mont Present (FR) (10-1) Prominent, every chance, one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Tell No One (9-13) at Pau 2m 2f ch in Jan.
Near The Water (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 6th, wide on bend after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 23l behind Postmaster (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Plane Painter (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Led until after 3rd, ridden after 4th, weakened before next, 5th of 13, well behind Shalone (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Portside (IRE) (12-0) 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Take The Brake Off (12-0) at Athlacca 3m ire ptp gd in May.
Puccini (IRE) Sadler's Wells gelding out of Upper Circle.
Which Pocket (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) With leader, led approaching 3rd, headed next, not fluent 11th, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Gaelic Flight (10-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Red 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, took keen hold, mistake 6th, soon dropped out, 14th of 15, 42l behind Atomic Winner (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Postmaster 6-4fav (11-0) Held up, took closer order 7th, chased leader approaching last, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Haddaaf (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Proud Presence (IRE) 15-8fav (10-13) Mid-division, making progress when badly hampered over 5f out, lost place, hampered over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ran on well, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Wade Farm Billy (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Missus Jones (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Theatre Girl (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
