chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, easily
led, mistake 2nd, clear 6th, mistake 9th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
chased leaders to 6th, soon weakened
held up, hit 1st, some headway 7th, mistake 8th, 4th and no chance when blundered 4 out
chased leader to 6th, weakened next
Genghis, Bob Hall and Monticelli are the three to look at here and Genghis is taken to make a winning debut over fences. Monticelli has won three times over hurdles but is yet to translate that ability to the bigger obstacles in two runs to date, although running respectably, it is fair to say he has disappointed. This is his first outing for a year and he may just need the run. A dual hurdle winner in Ireland, Jonjo O'Neill's Bob Hall shaped promisingly on his fencing debut at Bangor, finishing third in a decent contest. He is liable to come on for the run, his first for ten months and looks a threat. Last year's Scottish Champion Hurdle winner, Genghis, may prove too classy for these opponents. He has not been seen since finishing nine lengths behind Arcalis in the Fighting Fifth last season. That was almost exactly a year ago, but even given his lay off, he looks an exciting recruit to the chasing world and Genghis can rule over his opponents here.
Bob Hall (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 9th, chased winner approaching 3 out, jumped left last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Mr Pointment (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Curraheen Chief (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) In touch, close 3rd when fell at the 8th in race won by Caveman (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
Genghis (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 9, 9l behind Arcalis (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) sft in Nov '05.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, well behind Tora Bora (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Secured (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, mistake 12th, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Fourty Acers (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Tails I Win 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 5th, soon weakened, 4th of 8, well behind Beluga (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Monticelli (GER) 2-1jt-fav (11-6) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 5l behind Rooster's Reunion (11-6) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gf in Oct '05.
Super Lord (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Led to 5th, chased leader next, mistake 8th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Black Jack Ketchum (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
