tracked leaders, mistake 7th, soon dropped into mid-division, no impression from 3 out
held up, headway 11th, soon chasing leaders, one pace from 2 out
made all, challenged 2 out, stayed on gamely from last, driven out
always behind, struggling from 10th
held up towards rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden after 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 9th, challenged 2 out, every chance last, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
with winner, outpaced from 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 11th, soon weakened
held up, pushed along after 8th, weakened from 11th
in touch, soon dropped to mid-division, weakened approaching 5 out
TERRAMARIQUE made a winning return from over twelve months off the track at Huntingdon recently and can make it two from two this season. Quite a few dangers could be cited here including Native Coral who hit the deck early on last time, Montevideo and Briery Fox. Connections reportedly stated that following Terramarique's victory that the horse needs 'variety' and blinkers are now put on for the first time today. The sound surface will also suit Nicky Henderson's charge and he will take a lot of beating here. Native Coral has not been the easiest to keep sound and returned from a long absence last season to string together two victories. He only got as far as the fourth fence last time so fitness wise he did not benefit much. Montevideo has switched stables form Jonjo O'Neill to Pat Haslam but continues in the same ownership. He has winning form on sound surfaces but has shown in the past that he requires a couple of outings before hitting form. Briery Fox returns from a break off the track. He finished second on three of his last four starts last season and on one of those occasions he had Native Coral in behind. Ballabriggs relishes a test of stamina so today's ground is likely to be on the quick side for him. Terramarique is nominated to win this handicap chase.
Dr Hart (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mistakes, soon towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Parsons Legacy (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Briery Fox (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 14th, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 24l behind Victor Daly (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 7-2fav (10-13) Led to 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 25l behind Gypsy George (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gs in May.
Montevideo 4-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 10th, disputing 3rd when hit 2 out, stayed on approaching last, hung left flat, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Apr beating Nikola (10-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Karelian 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 13l behind Raslan (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Daldini 28-1 (10-3) In touch in main group, lost place after 8th, behind from 11th, 11th of 17, 41l behind Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Native Coral (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, towards rear when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Bill's Echo (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) With leader, weakened approaching 8th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Wogan (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 16 ran.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 9-4fav (10-2) Mid-division, close up 14th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, blundered badly 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Terramarique (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Tracked leader until approaching 6th, remained prominent, led and hit 3 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct beating Markington (11-4) by 9l, 11 ran.
Two Miles West (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden after 9th, never on terms, last of 7, well behind Soleil Fix (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 18, well behind Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Heros Collonges (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Always behind, 9th of 12, well behind Brinkmanship (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug '07.
