held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 4th, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 3rd, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 4th, soon led, not fluent next, ridden and headed after 2 out, jumped right last, stayed on same pace
prominent, ridden 5th, 3rd and well held by leaders approaching last
tracked leaders, reminders after 3rd, challenged 5th, led after 2 out, driven out
led until after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and lost place after 3rd, soon behind, stayed on approaching last to take 4th flat, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, last next, pulled up before 2 out
held up well in rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
Rawaaj is the obvious choice as his three-and-a-half length second to Bivouac in a jumpers' bumper at Southwell last month is the only recent worthwhile form on offer. But earlier efforts over hurdles were nothing special and he is taken on with top weight GOLDEN BUTTON. Kim Bailey's string has been in good form and his lightly-raced mare showed ability in stronger company last season. First-time blinkers look like a last resort for Master Paddy, while Orpen Bid appears to be regressing and the veteran Little Rort will probably need this run.
Golden Button (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Led, mistake 5th, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 37l behind Honorary Title (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Born To Be Wilde (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leading trio, pushed along and no impression when hit 4 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, well behind Najca De Thaix (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Man Of Leisure 200-1 (10-7) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, weakened 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind The Reformer (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Dec.
Bright Decision 80-1 (10-5) In touch until lost place before 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off before 4 out, 13th of 16, well behind Golden Chieftain (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Rawaaj 12-1 (11-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bivouac (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Little Rort (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Hello You (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Gallimaufry 100-1 (10-5) Never travelled and soon pushed along, always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Accordintolawrence (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Orpen Bid (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Always in rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by L'Accordioniste (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mares mdn hdl (5) hvy in Oct, 15 ran.
Master Paddy (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 20l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
