chased leading pair, weakened into 5th, driven when hit 13th, beaten after
led at good pace, ridden, joined 15th, narrowly headed bypassing last, found no extra
mistake 1st, chased winner throughout, challenged from 14th, led bypassing last, kept on well
towards rear, hampered 7th, headway, well in touch 10th, weakened before 13th
chased leaders in 4th, pecked 8th, not fluent next, behind, struggling when jumped slowly 13th
mid-division, headway 12th, chased leading pair 13th, no extra after next
never better than mid-division
towards rear when fell 7th
always in rear, struggling 9th, soon tailed off
always in rear, mistake 2nd, ridden, struggling when blundered 10th, tailed off
hampered 7th, always behind, tailed off
always in rear, struggling 8th, tailed off next
NIPPY DES MOTTES is our selection in the nightcap with Shareef and Jurado Express offered up at the most pertinent opposition. A smart performer when trained under rules, he was once rated in the 130's - chasing home Jack The Giant to just five lengths in a contest at Ascot a couple of seasons ago. While age will have perhaps blunted his ability, he should have few problems with the prevailing going and if straight enough on reappearance, can provide a red letter day for rider, Jake Greenall. Shareef was fairly disappointing under rules for Alan King but he has struck up a good partnership with Hazel Lewis between the flags and at the likely odds, he makes plenty of appeal for each-way backers. Jurado Express needs little introduction to followers of this sphere. He has obliged twice for Michelle Bentham and seems more suited to this trip, rather than the two miles he had campaigned over previously. Jubilee George landed plenty of bets when obliging in a similar contest at Doncaster and it would be no surprise to see him under an attacking ride this afternoon. Nyrche lost his way badly due to recurrent injuries and he will be making his debut in hunter chases today. De Luain Gorm is capable of putting up a bold show though will not get the uncontested lead that normally accompanies his better efforts. The market will tell us plenty but in the absence of it, we side with Nippy Des Mottes.
Cape Verde Sal (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Led to 8th, chased leader to 12th, weakened 14th, soon behind, 5th of 8, 31l behind The Big Breakfast (11-3) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd.
De Luain Gorm (IRE) 15-2 (12-3) Led 2nd, clear when mistake 8th, headed 12th, weakened quickly, blundered 3 out, 3rd of 8, well behind Who Else Knew (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) sft.
Jurado Express (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Tracked leader, led 8th, ridden clear last, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (4) gd in May beating Hambaphambili (11-7) by 7l, 16 ran.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Always mid-division, 8th of 16, 17l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Sept '07.
Jubilee George 11-4 (11-7) Made all, clear from 5th, in command from 4 out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hts chs (5) gs in Feb beating Nocatee (11-3) by 31l, 8 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden and behind from 7th, 10th of 11, 47l behind Andreas (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 13, 43l behind Mcevoy (12-6) at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gs.
Quid Pro Quo (FR) 7-1 (12-3) Held up; eff 4 out; wknd app 2 out, 5th of 11, 16l behind Forget The Ref (11-10) at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Shareef (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up; hdwy 10; wknd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Chesnut Annie (11-0) at Howick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Toi Express (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Led to 11; wknd 13; pulled up in race won by Tonic Du Charmil (12-0) at Great Trethew 3m ptp gd in Feb, 5 ran.
Gulabill 22-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, mid division, headway 12th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 17, 22l behind Baby Run (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
Oranger (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Chsd wnr 2 out; ev ch flat; nt qckn, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Rustic John (12-0) at Dunthrop 3m ptp gd.
