tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 3 out, weakened next
prominent, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, blundered 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4th, hit 5th, mistake next, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, blundered badly 5th, soon pulled up
held up, ridden 6th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
close up, led approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, one pace
held up and keen, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next
led, headed approaching 5th, weakened approaching next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out
held up towards rear, reminders after 4th, weakened 4 out
held up behind, weakened from 6th
King Barry can get the better of Ever So Slightly, Brads House, All For Luck and Nevertika to name but a few. King Barry caught the eye on more than one occasion over fences last season, and has already paid his way this term, capturing a valuable chase at Perth in June. Absent since then, he has a rare outing over timber here, and if anywhere near fit, can go close. Ever So Slightly on the other hand is an animal of potential rather than proven ability, but his trainer does well in this type of event, so he has to be respected. Brads House has the assistance of Tony McCoy which is no bad thing, while winning pointer All For Luck could turn out to be anything in time. Nevertika has yet to jump a twig in public, but was fairly progressive in bumpers last term, and Honour Guard is related to Lord Transcend so is also worth a mention. The market may well prove informative here, but the class of King Barry, albeit over fences, is hard to ignore and he gets the nod.
Brads House (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, every chance last, edged left flat, one pace, 4th of 9, 7l behind Taranis (10-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Oct.
Mister Jungle (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 7, hard pressed from 2 out, soon ridden, held on near finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Rudaki (10-7) by a hd, 7 ran.
All For Luck (IRE) (12-0) Made most, easily, won at Dromoland 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Bright An Bubbly (12-0) by 10l, 15 ran.
Battlefield 10-1 (10-8) Never a factor, behind when pulled up in race won by Hasanpour (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp chs gd in Apr, 20 ran.
Ever So Slightly (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hampered 4th, reminded after next, lost place 7th, rallied 2 out, not fluent last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Allistathebarrista (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in May.
Golden Parachute (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led, ridden over 4f out, headed over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Ovide (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Honour Guard (IRE) Darnay gelding, half-brother to 2 NH winners including smart hurdler/chaser Lord Transcend.
Inch Over 33-1 (11-7) In rear, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent 8th, ridden and struggling from next, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by No Retreat (11-11) at Bangor 3m hts chs (4) hvy in May, 9 ran.
King Barry (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, smooth headway to lead 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jun beating Undeniable (11-12) by 5l, 15 ran.
Master Somerville 25-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Little Bit of Hush (11-2) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Mythical Son (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) In touch until weakened after 6th, 5th of 13, 42l behind Possextown (10-11) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Nevertika (FR) 11-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, one pace from over 2f out, 2nd of 16, 13l behind The Pious Prince (11-3) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Quinta de Lobo 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 8, 34l behind Aitch Doubleyou (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in May.
Redworth Boy (IRE) Zaffaran gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Blue Charm.
My Wee Woman 100-1 (10-5) Held up, some headway approaching 3 out, no further progress, 8th of 16, 32l behind Bradley Boy (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Flamethrower (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders over 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 21l behind Agent Lois (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (H) gf.
