held up in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hard ridden and under pressure last, ridden out
in touch, went 2nd from 7th, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed approching 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied, run-in
chased leader, weakened after 4 out
held up behind, headway 7th, weakened 3 out
always towards rear
held up mid-division, mistake 8th, headway to chase leaders next, ridden and every chance 2 out until after last, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, driven along 6th, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
prominent, until lost place from 6th
always behind
tracked leaders, driven along approaching 7th, weakened after next
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Sea Wall, Roaringwater and Noir et Vert are the three to look at here and Sea Wall is taken to follow up his win last time. Richard Phillips' Roaring water won on his Hexham bumper debut on heavy ground but has proved something of a disappointment since both over fences and hurdles. He ran a better race last time to be second at Uttoxeter and is fairly treated. His winning turn may not be far away but he may have to wait for easy ground. Ferdy Murphy's Noir et Vert is an interesting contender here. He did not appreciate testing ground last season but won both his races when the ground was quicker. He has been raised thirteen pounds for his last win though which seems harsh, and like a number of the stable's runners he may just need the run. Sea Wall has seen a varied career to date, thought good enough to take his chance at Royal Ascot on the Flat, he has been tried over hurdles and fences since. The bigger obstacles did not seem to suit him, but given a lenient handicap mark over hurdles, he took full advantage at Ludlow, scoring readily with plenty in hand. He was rated 95 on the Flat, and with ground conditions to suit Sea Wall can score again.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 13-2 (10-3) Behind, headway after 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 6l behind Presumptuous (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminders after 3rd, hit 5th, outpaced from next, 4th of 6, 11l behind Present Oriented (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Top Achiever (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Mid-division until weakened 6th, 14th of 17, 26l behind Speed Venture (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 11-4jt-fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, clear next, ridden and kept on from last, won at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr beating Forever Eyesofblue (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Colourful Life (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Rabbit (10-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Sha Bihan (FR) 9-1 (10-9) In touch, headway 6th, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Jockser (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
Haystacks (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hit 4th, pushed along after 6th, ridden 9th, soon struggling, 7th of 10, 22l behind Thoutmosis (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in May '05.
Roaringwater (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Nounou (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Caesar's Palace (GER) 12-1 (11-0) With leader, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure to chase winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Shared Account (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Sept.
Miss Cospector 8-1 (10-4) Behind, lost touch 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Hopbine (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Apr '05, 14 ran.
Rival Bidder 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 7th, chased leaders 3 out, 3rd and no impression when hit last, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Kerry's Blade (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Sea Wall 13-2 (11-4) Prominent, led 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, drew clear after last, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf beating Pilca (10-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Le Joyeux (FR) 50-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden after next, kept on flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Cruising River (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Farington Lodge (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders and mistake, weakened 5 out, 5th of 12, well behind Trovaio (10-0) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.
