held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, jumped left 3rd, headway 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 1st, hampered 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, never in contention
led until fell 5th
raced keenly, chased leader, not fluent 3rd, left in lead 5th, hit 3 out, edged right and headed between last 2, 3rd and beaten when hit last, weakened flat
always in rear, blundered 4th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, improved when not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, hampered 5th, went modest 4th when mistake 2 out
held up in touch, headway when slightly hampered 5th, not much room 2 out, led and bumped between last 2, not fluent last, driven flat, stayed on well
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway when hampered 5th, hung right and every chance 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on one pace flat
After pulling The Darling Boy out of his intended engagement on Thursday it's reasonable to suggest that connections of Tom George's charge see this as a better opportunity for the gelding on his hurdles bow but with jumping experience already under the belt we side with Alan King's AOHNA with Seefin Mountain also respected. It is a little concerning that the pick made little impression when odds on favourite last time but he held his form well on just his second start over obstacles and this bumper winner should also benefit for another try over this trip. Seefin Mountain just about sets the standard in this race after some solid efforts last season but we'll take a watching brief with this one on his seasonal bow. The Darling Boy shaped with promise in all four bumper starts and certainly proved stamina for this trip in the process so any market support in his favour would be interesting. Oliver Sherwood's Parazar is another to be considered with connections opting to send him jumping after just one promising start in a bumper but with experience of jumping obstacles looking a plus we side with Aohna.
Cheapside (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Palypso De Creek (11-4) at Towcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Handtheprizeover 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 6f, ridden 3f out when close 3rd, soon edged left, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 16, 23l behind No Principles (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in May.
Parazar (FR) 11-4 (10-5) In touch, headway after 6f, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 8, well behind Latin America (10-1) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Quick Live (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Jumped left and mistake 1st, mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 46l behind Meridian City (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Right Perk (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Led, clear 4th to 4 out, ridden and headed before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 18l behind See The View (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Jul '08.
Seefin Mountain (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 47l behind Bella Haze (10-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Shahbash 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, raced keenly, went close 2nd 3rd, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Wolf Moon (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
The Darling Boy 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Pendower (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Wonderwinder (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch, weakened after 7th, no chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Baren De Doc (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Aohna (FR) 4-7fav (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, pushed along when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, no impression 2 out, hit last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Palmito (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, not fluent next, chased winner 2 out, hung left flat, no impression, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Civil Servant (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
