held up mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
led to 8th, weakening when hit 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, quickly weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 6th, hit 4 out soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 8th, headed towards finish
held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, no extra flat
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, hung left approaching last, no extra
held up towards rear, kept on 2 out, never on terms
in touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon hung left, weakened approaching last
held up, hit 5th and 6th, joined leaders 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, prominent 7th, challenged 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, lead towards finish
mid-division, lost place 7th
close up, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, quickly weakened approaching next, pulled up before 2 out
Jazz D'Estruval may have fragile legs but he also has stacks of ability and is selected ahead of Tees Components and the potentially well handicapped Brankley Boy, who head what could feasibly be the longest shortlist of the day. Others that should not be underestimated include: Two Miles West, Mephisto and Desert Tommy, who are all worth monitoring in the betting market - especially Mephisto, who has won three of his previous five starts over hurdles and will relish the conditions. He will be interesting for next time whatever happens today. Brankley Boy has shown a good level of consistency for Nicky Henderson and, as the solitary representative of the yard to make the journey up from Lambourn; he has to be respected. The handicapper has given him a live chance - even though he is 6lb wrong at the weights. Tees Components is a dour stayer that represents good value at the likely odds. Keith Reveley's charge is remarkably consistent over timber and he rates as a solid option for each-way backers to consider. However, Jazz D'Estruval is a classy horse when he gets it right and, from a mark 12lb lower than his chase rating, he has a live chance on these terms. Plenty of juice underfoot is a prerequisite for the gelding, so he will be in his element on this testing ground. And, as he has a good record when he is fresh, Jazz D'Estruval has plenty in his favour today.
Millenium Royal (FR) (10-8) Prominent, one pace, 5th of 7, 15l behind Zaiyad (10-3) at Auteuil 3m Grp 1 (1) sft.
Korelo (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Held up, struggling from 18th, tailed off when pulled up at the 20th in race won by Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Royal Emperor (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division and mistakes when fell at the 14th in race won by My Will (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 12 ran.
St Matthew (USA) 16-1 (10-0) Chasing leading pair when fell at the 10th in race won by Therealbandit (9-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Mephisto (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Made all, clear approaching 3 out, readily, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (B) gd in Apr '05 beating Bagan (11-8) by 5l, 3 ran.
Mistanoora 25-1 (11-12) Held up, blundered 4th, hit 7th, plugged on at one pace, 6th of 11, 11l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Irish Wolf (FR) 10-3fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, driven out, won at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct beating Reem Two (9-12) by 13l, 12 ran.
Jazz d'Estruval (FR) 9-4fav (10-9) Mid-division, smooth headway 4 out, led approaching 3 out, clear last, pushed out, readily, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec beating Mughas (11-7) by 4l, 13 ran.
The Bajan Bandit (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Soon struggling towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Tees Components 17-2 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Redemption (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Oct.
Carlys Quest 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened after 9th, tailed off, 9th of 17, well behind Star De Mohaison (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (3) gs.
Be Be King (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up mid-division, hit 8th, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 21, 17l behind Refinement (10-12) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
United (GER) 11-4 (11-1) Chased leader, led on bit after 3 out, ridden headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Bold Fire (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mistakes, prominent, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 30, 29l behind Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Two Miles West (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Raced wide, held up in rear, headway on outside from 10th, driven approaching 2 out, 5th and beaten when went left last, 5th of 17, 29l behind Star De Mohaison (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (3) gs.
Desert Tommy 12-1 (10-1) Led, headed briefly 2nd, clear 7th, not fluent 2 out, pushed out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct beating Jockser (9-13) by 7l, 16 ran.
Brankley Boy 3-1fav (11-6) In touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
