tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd and 4th, lost touch 7th
mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division and keen, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, led 3 out, ridden out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2 out
towards rear, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace and not fluent last
led, headed after 1st, ridden and one pace from 2 out, mistake last
towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
towards rear, slipped and mistake 5th
in touch, ridden and weakened after 8th
Oliver Sherwood's FINNEY looks to have the form to win this from Alan King's Blistering and the promising-looking Chevy To The Levy. The selection was a bumper winner last season and has taken to hurdling really well. His debut over timber saw him well beaten at Uttoxeter by the top-class Diamond Harry, who has since won at the top level and there is no disgrace in that. The second from the Uttoxeter race has also gone on to score so the form is rock solid and Finney wasn't far off the smart-looking Alderluck on his last effort either so this looks well set up to get his head in front. Blistering takes his chance over obstacles for the first time here after back-to-back bumper wins towards the end of last season. Alan King is bound to have him well schooled to give him every chance but this trip may be on the sharp side. Chevy To The Levy has ability as shown by his 125 rating. He too has some winning form in races of this type and is bound to be in the mix although the form from his runs is not as strong as the selection's. Keep an eye on the market for indicators about some of the newcomers.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out, 9th of 10, well behind Hell's Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Blazing Tommy Terimon gelding out of Suilven.
Blistering (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Disputed lead, led after 2f, headed 10f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar beating The Portonion (10-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Ere Alfie (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led, headed 9f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Abey M'Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Exclusionist 25-1 (10-7) Close up until lost place 4th, behind when hit 6th, disputing moderate 4th when jumped right last, 5th of 10, 29l behind Wendel (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Eyesrdancing 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 7f out, ridden and kept on one pace from 3f out, 9th of 13, 36l behind Watching Football (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in May.
Finney 7-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, led 2 out, hard ridden, headed close home, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Alderluck (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Fredrico 150-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 12th of 16, well behind Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Johns Square (IRE) Saddlers' Hall horse out of Remoosh.
King Ar Aghaidh (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon hung left, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 29l behind The Big Orse (10-13) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) sft.
Penharold (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and not fluent 6th, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Award Winner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and kept on from 4 out, 6th of 16, 40l behind Shannon Springs (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb '07.
Tender Falcon 7-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, ridden 4f out, effort and edged left over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Weybridge Light (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
Enjoy The Mood 80-1 (9-5) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, 44l behind War Anthem (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Plain Champagne (IRE) 66-1 (8-2) Started slowly, always in rear, struggling 3f out, never a factor, last of 9, 25l behind Constant Cheers (9-7) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Petit Fleur 14-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear and slipped up 5 out in race won by Jenny Potts (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
