tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch when mistake 1st and lost place, behind when jumped right 5th
mid-division, jumped right 3rd, behind from 6th
towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
mistake 2nd and 4th, weakened 7th and behind
in touch, ridden to lead 2 out, narrow leader when fell last
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, led soon after last, ridden out
hampered 1st, headway and ridden 6th, every chance when left in lead last, headed and hampered, not recover
in touch, ridden 7th, close up 2 out, weakening approaching last and left 3rd
led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent until weakened 2 out
mid-division, mistake 1st, behind from 7th
Nonrunner
The ex-French April San has shown promise in all three starts over hurdles for Ferdy Murphy and arguably has the best form on offer but he may have to settle for minor honours again with preference for the hurdling newcomer Sullumo, who gets the vote over Quickbeam. The last mentioned looks the pick of the two Venetia Williams runners in the race, having shown promise on his only start in a bumper. Peter Bowen has his string in good form at present so Cadoulor has to be respected but he does have a long absence to overcome. Another French import Orphelin Collonges ran better when last seen and has to be considered along with Tom George's Oh Braga, who showed promise in a bumper on his debut. Marginal preference though is for Sullumo who showed good form when successful in his two starts on the level in Germany and now makes his debut for Charlie Mann, who has his string in top form.
Melvino 11-4 (11-0) Hampered 1st, led 2nd, not fluent 3rd, clear 4th, hit last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) frm in Nov beating The Cayterers (10-11) by 7l, 9 ran.
April San 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Evelith Echo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Not jump well, keen, went wide on bend after 1st, lost touch 4th, pulled up before last in race won by Gentle John (11-3) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Master Wolfe (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, 8th of 14, 39l behind Merchent Paddy (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Midnight Spirit 150-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway after 5th, weakening when mistake 7th, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
Oh Braga (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Mainly 2nd until led briefly well over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Broomhill Flyer (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) (9-9) Kept on under pressure, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Orphee De La Foret (10-3) at Argentan 2m 1f chs in Nov '06.
Pennek (FR) Won in French Provinces 1m4f sft (Non-Thoroughbreds) in August.
Quickbeam (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, one pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 9l behind Crescent Island (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Oct.
Sea Saffron 20-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 20l behind The Tother One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sullumo (GER) (9-2) Led 3f out, ran on strongly, won at Neuss 1m 3f hcp std in Nov '06 beating Carion (9-0) by 3l, 5 ran (Flat).
Teach to Preach (USA) 100-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, prominent to 5th, 10th of 17, 42l behind Zebra Crossing (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Cresswell Ruby (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Cadoulor (FR) (10-3) In touch to 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 19, 9l behind Kotkido (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 1f hdl in May '06.
