held up in rear, pushed along after 4th, headway after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out
chased leaders, led 6th, headed next, led last, stayed on well
held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 4 out
led 2nd, reminder 5th, headed 6th, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened after last
held up mid-division, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, headed last, one pace
led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Withdrawn
There's plenty to like about the form of MIDDLETON DENE's fourth to Duc De Regniere at Kempton and, with Brian Harding expected to prove an able substitute for Mrs Dobbin, he's selected here. There are any number of alternatives but Helens Vision and Award Winner are the two that we want to have on side. Middleton Dene progressed well over hurdles last season and was probably over the top when disappointing at Aintree. He looked as good as ever when not given a hard time at Kempton and should be spot on for this contest. Tazbar is smart but couldn't be backed with confidence following some mulish displays on the level although he did bounce back from his Aintree eclipse with a solid effort at Perth in a race that has worked out. United should relish these conditions and is worth a market check, Theatre Girl can be excused her reappearance where she broke a blood vessel whilst Proca De Thaix could justify his lofty reputation if he's learnt to hurdle in the off-season. Hibiki holds every chance and Timpo is better than he's shown in two runs this term but Helens Vision looks sure to run a big race now that she's got her head back in front and Tim Vaughan may be able to get a little more out of her yet. Award Winner turned over the well regarded According To Dick at Exeter and proved that was no fluke when landing the money with ease at Plumpton next time. It's interesting to see his connections go down this route and he's one we want on our side but Middleton Dene is the pick.
Tazbar (IRE) 6-5fav (11-6) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance last, carried left flat, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Lodge Lane (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
United (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent, 3rd halfway, close 2nd 4 out, left in narrow lead after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Refinement (11-7) at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr '07.
Middleton Dene (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Towards rear, some progress 6th, lost place next, stayed on again from 3 out, not reached leading trio, 4th of 11, 9l behind Duc De Regniere (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Theatre Girl 9-4fav (11-10) Held up, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by Irish Legend (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Procas de Thaix (FR) 11-10fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistakes 3rd and 4th, soon ridden and headway 5th, chased winner in vain from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 40l behind Greenbridge (10-9) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Accordello (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-12) at Haydock 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Khachaturian (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Led at strong pace, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 17l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Chief Yeoman 66-1 (10-13) Always in rear, 19th of 22, well behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Helens Vision 11-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, led last, driven and kept on well flat, won at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Khyber Kim (11-10) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Nevertika (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Serabad (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Award Winner 11-10fav (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, led 3 out, in command when hit 2 out, pushed along run-in, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Bench Warrent (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Timpo (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 7th, 11th of 19, 28l behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Hibiki (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden to challenge on outside, not fluent last, strong challenge flat, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Art Professor (10-10) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
