settled in rear, headway before 5 out, chased leaders after next, left in 2nd 2 out, kept on well closing stages
held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, under pressure before 3 out, stayed on under pressure, never a threat
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, fell next
tracked leaders, under pressure 6th, weakened after 4 out
always prominent, led just after 3 out, jumped right and hampered next, stayed on strongly
led, mistake 2nd and 5th, headed just after 3 out, every chance when jumped left and badly hampered next, weakened quickly
It's amazing that LORD LIR can still be classed as a novice as he has already had 22 runs over fences. It's only lately that he's got his head in front, however. His latest victory at Worcester has been franked and he can put his experience to good use against less-exposed types. The Green Ogre was consistent over hurdles so should go well if taking to the larger obstacles. Under The Phone also warrants a mention while Mini Muck's yard had last year's winner but Yabadabadoo has become very disappointing.
The Green Ogre 7-2fav (11-8) Chased leaders, 3rd 4 out, outpaced and no chance with leading duo next, 3rd of 6, 30 1/2l behind Songsmith (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Under The Phone (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, headway after next, stayed on to go modest 3rd 2 out, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 8, 31l behind New Horizons (10-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Mini Muck 9-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division on inside, pushed along outpaced and struggling before 4 out, never involved, 7th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Lights Of Broadway (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Moveable Asset (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until 3rd, chased front pair until outpaced from 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 23l behind Ittirad (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gf in Sep.
Yabadabadoo 5-1 (10-12) Chased clear winner, ridden 2 out, no extra last and lost two places, 4th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Walden Prince (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Lord Lir (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Made all, clear 3rd until 8th, mistake 3 out, edged right after 2 out and last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Chankillo (10-9) by 3 3/4l, 10 ran.
