held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, slightly hampered last, stayed on
pulled hard, always behind
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden to lead briefly approaching 3 out, hit last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3rd, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
started slowly, behind, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, no chance when hit and slightly hampered last
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, ran on flat
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, not quicken flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
with leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
behind, headway approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, close 3rd when fell last
held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
Making it onto the shortlist are Redi, Cantgeton and Armariver, with a chance taken on Redi. Redi's reputation goes before him and, much as he has yet to fully confirm it on the track, the presence of cheekpieces and the fact that Tony McCoy is riding are seen as positives in this interesting affair. Cantgeton now races over the trip he won over at Cheltenham three runs ago and, at this level, is very much respected. Given that Mick Fitzgerald has opted to ride Etendard Indien from the two Nicky Henderson entries then he has to be given serious thought, even though he has yet to fully live up to his initially big reputation. Atahuelpa was a very good novice but maybe the handicapper has him at present, that last comment similarly applying to Silver Prophet. Broke Road needs a career best, and Red Moor ran better than his finishing position suggests last time but, with the likes of Dr Cerullo, overall probably has something to prove in this kind of race. Lightly-raced over hurdles, Sir Brastias looked to be on the upgrade when winning at Hereford last time, and is respected, while Armariver has to be one to seriously consider. He was demoted after beating Pirate Flagship at Cheltenham last time but, on that evidence, looks very well-weighted today. Finally, Spike Jones surpassed previous efforts when short-headed by Nippy des Mottes last time and a repeat of that level of form affords him respect too. Sunnyarjun also looked like an improver last time but, overall, we will just side with Redi.
Cantgeton (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, no impression last, 7th of 18, 38l behind Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec.
Atahuelpa 40-1 (11-12) Keen, held up, headway 4th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Hernando's Boy (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Go For Bust 40-1 (11-2) Raced in rear, not jump well, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Kasthari (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (C) gd in Dec.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace after, 7th of 15, 19l behind Acambo (10-9) at Windsor 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Etendard Indien (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led after 5th, not fluent and ridden 7th, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 10, 32l behind Desert Quest (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Broke Road (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led to 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dominican Monk (11-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Jul, 9 ran.
Redi (ITY) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader, joined leader 3 out, soon ridden, 6th of 14, 25l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Red Moor (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 23l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Dr Cerullo 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 26l behind Desert Quest (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Sir Brastias 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 6th and again 3 out, headway to lead after 2 out, soon clear, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept '04 beating New Currency (10-11) by 13l, 16 ran.
Armariver (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, soon ridden, edged right flat, just held on, demoted and placed 2nd, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs beating Pirate Flagship (11-9) by a shd. Later dsq to 2nd, 15 ra.
A Bit of Fun 12-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Phar Out Phavorite (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Oct, 11 ran.
Imperial Rocket (USA) 40-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost place 6th, held up 3 out, last of 14, well behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Spike Jones (NZ) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway from 3 out, ran on strongly from last, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Sunnyarjun 7-2fav (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 4th, took closer order 3 out, headway on bit approaching 2 out, led after last, held on, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov beating Man Ray (11-2) by a nk, 10 ran.
Baie des Flamands (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place and blundered 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Gidam Gidam (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Dec, 17 ran.
