held up mid-division, headway 5th, challenged approaching last, led flat, ridden out
held up towards rear, weakening when mistake 3 out, mistake last
held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 2 out, weakened flat
jumped left, chased leader to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd, struggling from 4th, tailed off
raced keenly, jumped left, led and soon clear, headed 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat
chased leaders, raced keenly, lost place approaching 4th, towards rear after
pulled hard, held up mid-division, headway after 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pulled hard, headway after 3 out, switched left when not fluent last, weakened flat
raced keenly, chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed flat, unable to quicken
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
There's a lot of dead wood in this contest and LEVERA is likely to be a warm order to beat the trees but is unlikely to be much of a price to do so. Bolodenka, Overrule and Outlandish are three opponents to consider. Alan King won this race last year and appears to have every chance of doing so this year with his smart Flat performer who has made a smooth transition to hurdling. He followed up his ready success over course and distance with a fine second to Woolcombe Folly in a Listed race at Kempton and that form puts him head and shoulders ahead of this field. Things are rarely that straightforward though and Bolodenka is an interesting rival having been of a similar class on the level. He was going well enough until falling three from home at Aintree on his one run over obstacles and could give Levera plenty to think about. Outlandish has run well in bumpers and on the Flat and wasn't entirely disgraced on his debut over hurdles behind Group Captain last December; these conditions may suit him better. The likes of Overrule and Most Definitely have each-way claims but Levera should do the honours for favourite backers.
Levera 9-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, closed up after 3 out, effort on inside approaching 2 out, chased winner soon after, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (1) gd.
Cnidos 100-1 (10-12) Held up, always behind, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Front Of House (11-8) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Erdeli (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 42l behind Harper Valley (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Feeling (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) In touch, mistake 3rd, weakening when jumped slowly 4th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Oceana Gold (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs, 13 ran.
Most Definitely (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 24l behind Missis Potts (10-13) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Mugs Game (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, no extra from 4 out, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Serpentaria (10-9) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl gs in Mar.
Okoum (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Jumped left, raced keenly, led until hit 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Marsh Court (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Outlandish 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 12th of 18, 30l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Overrule (USA) 5-1 (10-8) Held up, headway on rails when not much room over 2f out, distant 2nd over 1f out, closed but never able to challenge, 2nd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Alsadaa (10-5) at Ascot 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Panadin (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakening and mistake 7th, 5th of 13, 30l behind Bremen (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Always prominent, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Choctaw Nation (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May.
Trachonitis (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling when mistake 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Chance du Roy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Wester Ross (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mount Lavinia (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd (Flat).
Crosby Jemma 20-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Night Force (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) frm.
Bolodenka (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tendency to jump right, mid-division, headway after 6th, close 4th when fell 3 out in race won by Sendani (10-12) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
Desert Star 9-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 16th of 17, well behind Norisan (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
