held up, ridden in 7th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
held up, headway 4th, mistke and rider lost iron 5th, soon weakened
held up, headway after 5th, ridden and flashed tail after 2 out, led and mistake last, stayed on
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, not extra
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, 4th and weakening when fell last
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place after 4th, slightly hampered 3 out, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
chased leader, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next
behind, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led to approaching 3rd, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
Zimbabwe is potentially a good deal better than he has shown so far but lack of a recent run has to be of concern so Gary Moore's gelding is probably best watched and a safer bet looks to be Harrycat, who gets the vote ahead of Daryal. The selection progressed with each start over hurdles last term and trainer Vince Smith is more than capable of producing one after an absence. Just Superb showed promise on his return behind the useful Lord Lington at Warwick last month and has to be respected on that evidence but is far from certain to reproduce the form, while Papillon de Iena reverts to hurdles after a disappointing spell over the larger obstacles last term. Charlton Kings is entitled to respect but got no further than the first fence on his reappearance and now goes back over hurdles. Ghadames is capable and interesting off today's mark but is a better chaser than hurdler and may need his run today so a bigger threat may come from Daryal. Alan King's gelding is less exposed than most of these and would have solid claims if fit enough for his return. Harrycat ahs an obvious chance though and he gets the vote.
Zimbabwe 2-1 (11-4) Led to after 1st, settled behind leaders, challenged from 2 out, every chance when mistake last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Lough Derg (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (B) gf in Apr '04.
Mobasher (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always behind, ridden along, hanging right 5th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mr Dinglawi (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Daryal (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, driven along approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 12th of 24, 20l behind Dabiroun (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 9, 30l behind One Cornetto (11-1) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (D) gf in Jun.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) unseated rider in race won by Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs, 11 ran.
Harrycat (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Made all, not fluent 3rd, went clear approaching 6th, mistake 2 out, all out, won at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gf in Aug beating Dewasentah (11-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Just Superb 10-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace last, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Lord Lington (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Ghadames (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, eased near finish, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in May beating Old Marsh (11-5) by 9l, 9 ran.
Haditovski 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened next, 9th of 14, 17l behind Lord Lington (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Killing Me Softly 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders until weakened 5th, 11th of 14, 21l behind Lord Lington (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
