mid-division until weakened approaching 7th
always towards rear
tracked leader, challenged winner 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, no extra from last
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division until weakened 7th
close up until dropped rear 5th, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on strongly approaching last, went 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
in touch, took closer order 5th, led 2 out, hung right and mistake last, idled, driven out
mid-division until weakened 6th, tailed off
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, some progress after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
held up mid-division, mistake 7th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, ridden when mistake 7th, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off from 6th
Lodge Lane, Psychomodo and Supreme Duke are the three to look at here with Lodge Lane taken to make a winning hurdling bow. Supreme Duke ran a great race first time out, finishing a good second in an Ascot bumper. Philip Hobbs' representative will come on for the experience and is sure to have been well schooled. He can run well. After some promising runs in defeat last season, Psychomodo won well at Ascot on his re-appearance. That was a good effort as he ran his rivals into the ground and he can hit the frame here despite his penalty. After two decisive wins in Uttoxeter bumpers on testing ground, Lodge Lane was a respectable tenth in the champion bumper at Cheltenham. Trainer Vic Dartnall believes he is capable of better than that, and rates him highly. Lodge Lane can justify that rating here.
Toni Alcala 9-2 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 8th, led 4 out, ridden clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Arafan (10-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
El Batal (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on well from last, led close home, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Lysander's Quest (11-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Psychomodo 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 5th, clear when blundered 2 out, driven between last 2, ridden out flat, won at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Berings Express (11-8) by 6l, 9 ran.
Ballyvaden (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) In touch, headway after 7th, led 9th to 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Cryptic (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Freedom Frix 50-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 9th of 16, well behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Honour High 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened next, 8th of 11, 11l behind El Batal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Laredo Sound (IRE) (9-2) Always rear, last of 6, 5l behind Mister Conway (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f stk gs in Apr (Flat).
Lodge Lane (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, upsides when hung right from 3f out, not recover, 10th of 24, 13l behind Cork All Star (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Millbrook Meadow 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 26l behind The Tother One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Orion Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Led until 7f out, gradually faded, 7th of 9, 40l behind Hills of Home (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Prince Aeneaf Classic Cliche gelding out of winning pointer Southern Survivor.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) In touch in chasing, hit 3rd, weakened 4 out, 9th of 16, well behind Helens Vision (10-4) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs.
Supreme Duke (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway from 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Seven Is My Number (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Nov.
War Feather 100-1 (11-0) Led, headed 7th, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 25l behind Master Medic (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Gandy Dancer (IRE) 9-4 (10-6) Held up, chased winner 7f out, drifted right over 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Kelv (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Apr '06.
Honeycombe 100-1 (10-4) Led, clear after 3f, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 47l behind Gansey (11-4) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Mar.
