chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, tailed off from 6th, left poor 4th from 2 out
held up in touch, chased winner from 6th, 2l down when not fluent 2 out, one pace
made all and soon clear till 7th, stayed on well from 2 out
tracked winner until 6th, outpaced 3 out, went poor 3rd approaching 2 out, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
An interesting contest can go to Schindlers Son, who is selected in preference to That Look and Ladino, while Mountain drops significantly in class and is also worth noting in the betting. The last named has enjoyed an all encompassing career saw him take on the best of his generation in some of racings premier events during his time on the Flat. A lack of success has led him to where he is now and, having failed to complete in his last two starts over hurdles, he needs to prove he still has the heart for the game. Tony McCoy is again saddled with the job of drawing the best out of the gelding and it would be no surprise to see a better effort in this company. Ladino has been in good form of late and is entitled to plenty of respect. He would not want the ground to be too testing, though. That look won his last two starts in good style before mopping up further prize-money with a victory in an apprentice handicap on the Flat 17 days ago. He is at the top of his game and is sure to be a popular choice. However, Schindlers Son has shown a good level of progression and, as this looks a deal easier than his respectable eighth in the Swinton Hurdle last time out, the Peter Bowen-trained gelding gets the nomination to come out on top here.
Schindlers Son (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, one pace, 8th of 24, 12l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Mountain (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Led, raced keenly, headed when hampered 2nd, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Silver Jaro (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 22 ran.
Golden Alchemist 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 6th, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 16l behind English City (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Portavadie 16-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Wizard of Us (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun.
Ursis (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, led 3rd, headed 2 out, hit last, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 3l behind English City (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, headway 8th, soon ridden, went 2nd approaching last, edged left flat, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Ladino (11-4) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Mr Crystal (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden 4 out, plugged on one pace, 3rd of 6, 36l behind La Vecchia Scuola (11-1) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Ladino (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, led 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun beating Cold Mountain (11-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Rajeh (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Swordsman (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
That Look 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, led approaching 2 out, driven out flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Glen Rouge (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
