tracked leaders, squeezed up and lost position on home bend, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well to take 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway from 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on
mid-division, ridden and no impression when virtually fell 2 out, not recover
took keen hold, held up towards rear, some headway when hampered 2 out, no further impression
mid-division until weakened after 5th, pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly in touch, took closer order 3 out, ridden next, faded and hung left run-in
prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd run-in
in touch, mistakes 3rd and 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, led last, pushed clear, comfortably
raced freely, led until 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, led to 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
Lord Ragnar looked as though he would come on a bundle for his debut effort in an Aintree bumper last month and Nicky Henderson's gelding has to be respected first time out over hurdles but SOMERSBY sets a fair standard so gets the vote with Seefin Mountain rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was good value for his bumper success at Huntingdon in March and lost no caste in defeat on his return to the same venue and hurdles debut when fourth to Shoreacres earlier this month. He makes more appeal than the Philip Hobbs-trained Gershwin, who was well held on his reappearance in a novices' hurdle at Wincanton. Alan King has his team in good order but his runner In Vino needs to improve on what he showed at Lingfield a fortnight ago to take a hand here. Jonjo O'Neill's Supreme Keano may do better over further and of more interest may be Andy Turnell's Seefin Mountain who is better than he showed on his final start in Aintree's Champion Bumper and now makes his debut over timber. Somersby has the benefit of hurdling experience though and that may just make the difference.
Clova Island 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Mahonia (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Cool Contender (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Soon led, mistake 2nd, headed next, lost place approaching 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Shoreacres (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gd.
Firedog (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, plugged on, 5th of 11, well behind Balthazar King (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gs.
Gershwin (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 37l behind Darstardly Dick (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
High Carol (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division until weakened over 3f out, 8th of 11, 42l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (10-6) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gs in Feb '07.
In Vino 13-2 (10-9) Held up, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 27l behind Charity Lane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Junior Jimble (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened after 4th, soon tailed off, last of 15, well behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 20l behind Cloudy Times (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) sft in Oct.
Master Charm (FR) 28-1 (10-11) Prominent, every chance approaching 3 out where mistake, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 24l behind Hunters Ploy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Mr Presley (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Keen, behind from 6th, 9th of 14, well behind Jeepstar (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Rapid Return (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always in the rear, 7th of 11, well behind Shalone (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Seefin Mountain (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 20, 46l behind Honest John (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Somersby (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 12l behind Shoreacres (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gd.
Ushiro Emery (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 27l behind Keki Buku (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Rothres (FR) 33-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 13th of 15, well behind McMurrough (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Ruby Isabel (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakening when mistake 3 out, 13th of 18, 45l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Smart N Sharp (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up, close order 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 29l behind Wendel (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 1st, not fluent and headed 2nd, lost place when mistake 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 16, 22l behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
