led, headed 3 out, weakened after next
pulled hard early, hit 2nd, steady headway from 3 out, one pace next
mid-division, mistake and weakened 3 out, hit next
behind, made some late headway from 2 out
took keen hold in touch, ridden 5th, soon weakened
always rear division
pulled hard in rear, never in contention
keen hold, held up in rear, blundered 4 out, pulled up next
mistake 1st, behind, struggling after 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakening when pulled up and dismounted approaching 2 out
took keen hold, prominent to 5th
chased leader, led 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, every chance when edged left soon after last, narrowly held when carried right towards finish
in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace and no chance with front pair from next
held up towards rear, some headway into mid-division 3 out, no danger after
chased leaders, ridden to lead narrowly 2 out, driven flat, hung badly right towards finish, held on
This has the look of a very decent contest with some top yards represented and we will give a narrow vote to Conkering, Theatrical Moment and Zebra Crossing could be the main dangers. James Fanshawe does really well with his hurdlers and Conkering showed enough on his debut last season to suggest he could do well at this game. He was well backed but was a bit novicey over the last few jumps. With that experience behind him this well bred type should show vast improvement. Theatrical Moment has made the transisition from bumpers to hurdling with great aplomb and will be in the shake up again. The pick of some very interesting newcomers could be the Nicky Henderson trained Zebra Crossing. It is hard to assess the form but he was a very decent flat performer in South Africa he will no doubt have been well schooled and he does get a favourable mention in the stable tour. Australia Day and Kevriou are two other newcomers to watch in the betting, but on this occasion we will side with the once raced Conkering.
Star of Canterbury (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear last, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Tiegs (10-5) by 7l, 14 ran.
Australia Day (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Never a factor, 24th of 30, 23l behind Sedna (10-0) at Curragh 7f hcp 0-80 gf in Sept (Flat).
Cactus King 66-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and struggling 5th, 16th of 17, well behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Conkering (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, effort and not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 8, 17l behind Paradi (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
High Tech Made (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, headway when jumped left and hampered 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 12l behind Coda Agency (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Kervriou (FR) 40-1 (8-12) Very slowly away, rapid headway to lead 7f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 27l behind Pivotal Answer (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcap (4) pol in Sept (Flat).
Kikos (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 12, 17l behind Pharanto (10-9) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in May.
King's Majesty (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Prime Number (11-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Oct (Flat).
Megalala (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 43l behind Pairtree (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gf in May '05.
Mustamad 50-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 12l behind Woolfall Blue (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr (Flat).
Olympian (FR) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed between last 2, weakened quickly, 8th of 15, 19l behind Master Medic (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Pagano (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 7th of 14, 12l behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Teach to Preach (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Soon behind, ridden and struggling from 5th, 12th of 16, well behind Pancake (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 4-7fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5th, left 2nd 2 out and mistake, no impression, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Tom Knows (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 10th of 16, 12l behind Oberon Moon (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Transvestite (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) With leader, led over 4f out, headed inside final 3f, weakened, 9th of 11, 23l behind Muhannak (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Zebra Crossing (SAF) 20-1 (9-2) Stayed on, 8th of 18, 3l behind Diamond Quest (7-12) at Greyville 2m Grp 1 gd in Aug '06 (Flat).
Boogie Magic 20-1 (8-12) Soon outpaced, 9th of 14, 15l behind California Laws (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jul '06 (Flat).
