held up in touch, struggling 9th, pulled up before 11th
always behind, hit 10th, tailed off from 5 out
close up, led 5th, ridden and headed last, no extra flat
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden next, challenged 2 out, led last, all out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
with leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
led to 5th, remained close up, quickly weakened 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 11th
Bushido is race fit and in form but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper and a better bet may be the reappearing Limerick Leader, who is preferred to Lou du Moulin Mas. The last mentioned has to be respected representing the yard of Paul Nicholls but he struggled to get his head in front last term but has been given little respite from the handicapper and may be best watched. Jonjo O'Neill's Dark Room struggled to get his head in front during the summer and looks to be one of the stable's lesser lights and of more interest may be Howard Johnson's Boy's Hurrah, who can race off his proper mark today having had little chance from out of the weights in the Betfred Gold Cup when last seen. Bold Investor looks to be the O'Neill second string and a safer bet looks to be Limerick Leader, who has slipped to a fair mark and represents the yard of Philip Hobbs that can produce one fit after an absence.
Moss Harvey 16-1 (11-9) With leader, ridden and lost place after 4th, behind when jumped right 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Spring Pursuit (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Bold Investor 66-1 (11-11) Behind when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Juveigneur (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Lou du Moulin Mas (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Prominent, left in lead 14th, ridden 4 out, soon headed and weakened from 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Imperial Dream (10-8) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (B) gd in Apr.
Bushido (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2 out, hit last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (D) gf in Sept beating Possextown (11-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
Alvino 10-3 (10-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace approaching 2 out, last of 4, 8l behind Biliverdin (10-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs (B) gs in Apr '04.
Limerick Leader (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway and jumped right approaching 10th, lost place after 12th, 6th of 7, 37l behind Jaoka du Gord (10-3) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Boy's Hurrah (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Made most to 18th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Jack High (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr, 19 ran.
Dark Room (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Keen, led 1st, headed next, hit 9th, ridden 13th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Keltic Lord (10-11) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in Jul.
