held up, steady headway from 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression
steadily lost prominent position, ridden and struggling from 12th
tracked leader, hit 10th, led 2 out, soon clear
led, headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 15th, plugged on at one pace from next
chased leaders, blundered 4th, weakened and mistake 3 out
As ever, it might pay to watch the betting in the hunters' chase but, without that, Ruby Gale is nominated ahead of Exit Swinger, Vinnie Boy and Abbey Days. Richard Ford's Exit Swinger, who lacks a recent run, and Paul Nicholls' Ruby Gale, who also lacks a recent outing, are the joint highest-rated runners in this contest based on what they achieved under Rules. We will take the view that the pair will not lack for fitness and, given that he was pretty consistent when racing under Rules, Ruby Gale gets the vote. Vinnie Boy and Abbey Days both come here fit following decent recent point-to-point runs and look best of the rest but it is Ruby Gale that is the selection.
Abbey Days (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) Hdwy 10; led bef 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Weston Park 3m ptp sft in Jan beating Tom's Prize (12-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Vinnie Boy (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (12-5) Held up; hdwy 19; led bet last 2; drvn out, won at Dunthrop 4m ptp sft in Jan beating Spiers Peace (12-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Deckie (IRE) 6-1 (12-7) Went close up 11th; ev ch 15th; no extra, 5th of 13, 16l behind Artic Jack (12-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd.
Exit Swinger (FR) 66-1 (10-10) Always in the rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Joaaci (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan '06, 13 ran.
Millenium Way (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Jumped well; led 14th; kept on strongly from 2 out, won at Ampton 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Sea Ferry (11-7) by 2l, 6 ran.
Ruby Gale (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost place after 13th, good headway on inside approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ran on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Black De Bessy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov '05.
