held up towards rear, headway after 7th, bumped by loose horse on approach to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up and behind, badly hampered 1st, headway approaching 8th, hampered by loose horse on approach to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
always in rear, lost touch from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased winner to 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 7th, behind after next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 8th, chased winner 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on flat but headed close home
led, hung left from approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied gamely under pressure to regain lead close home
handy, outpaced approaching 9th, plugged on from 2 out but no danger
tracked leaders, raced keenly, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, pushed along after 7th, struggling when blundered at the 8th, tailed off when pulled up before next
Commander Vic, Mortimers Cross and Rebel Melody look the most likely winners on paper and we are with Commander Vic. The selection was particularly well supported on chasing debut but that career looks to have come spectacularly down to earth with a bump. This isn't the strongest of novice hurdles and the yard are very much in form. Rebel Melody was probably flattered by his proximity to Gone To Lunch at Ascot. He is honest enough and stays this trip adequately if not particularly speedily. Mortimer's Cross might not have beaten much at Uttoxeter but he did so in style and is very much one to watch in the market. Former Irish pointer, El Batal relished gluepot conditions to oblige at Fontwell at 50/1. Those conditions are unlikely to obtain here. Orchard King ran a promising race behind Blackpool Billy in a Towcester bumper and is making a hurdling debut this afternoon. Silver Feather is bred to stay trips so it is no surprise to see Paul Murphy step him up in trip. Father Ferdy is represented by Hello My Lovely and it is impossible to believe that she is as bad as her Newcastle debut suggests. Commander Vic has questions to answer but won't get too many easier opportunities on a Boxing Day than this.
El Batal (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, 42l behind Lodge Lane (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Mortimers Cross 5-1 (10-7) Held up, not fluent 2nd, smooth progress 10th, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well flat, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Tigu (10-9) by 4l, 9 ran.
Best Deal 66-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened next, 10th of 12, well behind Bajan Sunshine (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '06.
Clande Boye (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Held up, some headway 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 16, 41l behind Brilliant (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf.
Commander Vic (IRE) 15-8fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 14th, held when fell 2 out in race won by Ferimon (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Dad's Army (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 6th, 8th of 14, 37l behind Oh Pickles (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Orchard King (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 16, 29l behind Blackpool Billy (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Led until headed after 9th, left in lead next, driven and headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Gone To Lunch (11-5) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Silver Feather (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Towards rear, struggling 5th, never dangerous, 11th of 14, well behind Pagan Rules (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs.
Standandbecounted 50-1 (10-12) In rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Very Special One (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec '06, 11 ran.
Hello My Lovely 14-1 (10-5) Behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Tazbar (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs, 7 ran.
Red Sea Raven 150-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Daraz Rose (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Go Gunner (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Merchent Paddy (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
