raced keenly, led to 5th, not fluent next, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, pushed along briefly and headway 8th, reminders after 10th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner
tracked leader to 2nd, remained prominent, hit 9th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, not fluent 9th, weakened after 3 out, finished very tired
in touch, not fluent 9th, led after 10th, ridden clear after 2 out, eased flat
raced keenly, chased leader 2nd, led 5th, headed after 10th, still every chance 3 out, weakened well before last
HOUSE OF BOURBON can prevail in a tight finale and he is nominated over Dorothy's Friend and Picture In The Sky. Tim Vaughan's 6-year-old ran well on his chasing debut at Bangor last time in what was quite a hot race. He should be suited by the drop in trip today and he is taken to open his account over birch. Dorothy's Friend is interesting as this 9-year-old was a fair sort on the flat, but he has been off the track since the summer of 2006 and the market is sure to be a decent guide to whether or not he is fancied. Picture In The Sky ran well on his return to action over hurdles at this track and he does shape as though he will be suited by the switch to the bigger obstacles. Monty's Moon won well last time but that was back in 2007 and he will probably strip fitter for the run. The market could be very informative here and the vote is given to House Of Bourbon.
Classic Eclipse 200-1 (10-9) Mistake 5th, soon tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Curries Brae (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Towards rear, weakened after 4th, 9th of 15, 31l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up, headway 6th, hit 15th and went 2nd, every chance after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 11l behind Bannister Lane (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Kingston Lane (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 5th to 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Aux Le Bahnn (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
Let Em Come (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 6th of 10, well behind Herons well (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Monty's Moon (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Trckd ldrs; lft in ld last; drvn out, won at Maisemore Park 2m 6f ptp gd in May beating Inch Royal (12-0) by 11l, 14 ran.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, ridden and one pace from 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sound Stage 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened on long run to 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind Michel Le Bon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dorothy's Friend 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 19, 21l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug '06 (Flat).
Parish House (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In rear, reminders 6th, tailed off when blundered 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Tullamore Dew (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct, 7 ran.
The Little Chancer (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always struggling in rear, well beaten 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Aux Le Bahnn (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
Tommy Cross 40-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after next, hanging left and lost touch after 6th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
