A competitive beginners chase here with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Lord Olympia The Grocers Curate and Tacin and the vote is given to Lord Olympia. The selection was the best of these over hurdles is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. The Grocers Curate rates the main danger as he hails from a yard in top form and showed a modicum of ability over hurdles. He has the scope to make a chaser and should be watched in the market. Tacin is another that could go well on his best form but he has shown very little of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. The Listner is another from a yard in form but his best form is over further and in a race where the market will be very informative for the winner we return to Lord Olympia.
Alfie's Sun 9-4 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Thyne For Intersky (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Grasia (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway after 9th, behind from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Idle Talk (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd, 14 ran.
Harrihawkan 20-1 (11-0) Led 2nd until 6th, led 12th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 32l behind Dancer Life (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (D) gs in Oct.
Kellys Fable 10-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and lost place 4th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Supreme Tadgh (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Lord Olympia (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Prominent, weakened before 6th, tailed off when hit 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Julius Caesar (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Mel In Blue (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Always prominent, led 12th, jumped left 4 out, headed 3 out, blundered last, no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Idle Talk (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd.
Rakalackey 10-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, strong challenge last, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 19, 3l behind The Dark Lord (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct '04.
Tacin (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway and every chance when mistake 3 out, weakened quickly before next, 15th of 17, 41l behind The Market Man (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
The Grocers Curate (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Always in touch, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Arctic Blue (10-4) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
The Listener (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) In mid-division when stumbled and slipped up at the 2nd in race won by Julius Caesar (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
The Well Lad (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) won at Kingston Blount 2m 4f ptp gf in May beating Two A Penny (11-2) by 10l, 10 ran.
Wizard of Edge 100-1 (10-5) Pulled hard, tracked leaders until saddle slipped and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Racing Demon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) gs, 8 ran.
