prominent, led 12th to 4 out, chased leaders, ridden approaching next, weakened 2 out, beaten when blundered last
tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven clear flat
made most to 12th, ridden, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, reminder 10th, weakened 12th, pulled up approaching 14th
took keen hold, held up in touch, challenged 12th, led 4 out to next, ridden, chased winner to last, weakened flat
held up, not fluent 7th, headway after 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd last, no impression flat
with leaders, led briefly 9th, soon under pressure, lost place after 11th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 4 out
Process of elimination suggests that L'Oiseau can land this contest, Liverpool Echo and Thistlecraft may provide most danger. We don't think L'Oiseau is particularly well handicapped at present but is in decent form and there are so many question marks about the others. Liverpool Echo has less to answer and you can forget the last run as a stirrup broke . He is better judged on his previous outing when close up fifth behind Borehill Joker. He has bags of stamina and will be staying well at the end. Thistlecraft hasn't raced for eighteen months but wasn't a bad performer. If there is market support take note. The other four runners are totally unreliable and so we return to L'Oiseau as the more likely winner in what looks a pretty modest affair.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leader to 6th, remained prominent, rider's stirrup iron broke approaching 13th, soon behind and pulled up at the 16th in race won by The King of Angels (11-12) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf, 7 ran.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven along approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Harris Bay (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr '06.
Even More (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place from behind 8th, 7th of 9, 36l behind Petit Lord (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Imperial Sun (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 18th, weakened next, 6th of 11, well behind Tom Sayers (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
L'Oiseau (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened before last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Otantique (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Ballybough Jack (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Held up, hit 8th, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 28l behind Papini (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf.
Tommy Carson 33-1 (11-9) Prominent, mistake 8th, weakening when jumped slowly 11th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Wotashambles (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun, 15 ran.
