led, clear approaching 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, not fluent last
keen early, tracked leaders, mistake 7th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, soon struggling, weakening when jumped slowly 3 out
chased leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, soon no impression
soon towards rear on outside, not fluent 4th, pushed along approaching 6th, last when mistake 7th, soon lost touch
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, hit 3 out, soon went 2nd and not much room, relegated to 3rd before 2 out, weakening when went left last, soon hung left
in touch, jumped slowly 1st, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, struggling after 3 out, went 4th flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well to draw clear flat
Nonrunner
Orpen Wide belied odds of 33/1 when successful in a novices' chase at Sedgefield last month and he has to be respected back over hurdles today but Michael Chapman's gelding is seemingly better over the larger obstacles so he looks best watched and a chance is taken with CRUCHAIN, who gets the vote over Oenologue. The last mentioned has yet to win since being brought over from France, be it in Ireland or since joing Alison Thorpe in the UK recently but he has shown some promise and any market support for him would be of interest. The Alner's Nils Anderson was in good form when last seen in May but lack of a run since then has to be of concern and he may be best watched. The Evan Williams-trained Will The Till has a decent racing weight but needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge and finally open his account over hurdles and preference is for Cruchain. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is less exposed than his rivals after just six starts and, having shown progressive form in novice hurdles, he looks worth chancing on his handicap debut.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Left in lead 1st, ridden 4 out, stayed on under pressure, won at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept beating Roman Villa (11-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Cruchain (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Major Suspect (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Nils Anderson (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-8) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, went 2nd 5th, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last where not fluent, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Coach Lane (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Mister Wiseman 15-2 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, squeezed through on inside to lead 2 out, soon ridden, edged left and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sept beating Tide Slider (10-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Irish Whispers (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden approaching 8th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Phone In (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Oenologue (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 17l behind Market Watcher (10-8) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdle gd in Jul.
Cosmic String (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Lord Ryeford (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept, 13 ran.
Iron Hague (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Ballykelly (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Will The Till 5-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Urban Warrior (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
The Premier Cat (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, lost place 6 out, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out pulled up at the last in race won by Dun Doire (9-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs (1) gs in Jan '06, 18 ran.
