led, soon clear, not fluent 7th, quickened after 9th, bad mistake next, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, every chance when left in lead 2 out, ran on well, eased near finish
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before next
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked clear leader, took closer order halfway, led after 3 out, fell next
held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, soon struggling and behind
held up towards rear, not fluent 7th and 8th, headway after 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
Inglis Drever, Black Jack Ketchum and Chief Dan George make the shortlist here with Black Jack Ketchum taken to follow up a winning seasonal re-appearance. Youngster Chief Dan George takes on more experienced rivals in this fascinating contest and having won five of his seven starts last season, culminating by taking the Sefton Hurdle at the Grand National meeting, he is entitled to. He makes his seasonal re-appearance though, and having needed a run last season to sharpen him up, he is opposed in this exalted company. Inglis Drever took two of his four races last season, including this contest and the World Hurdle. He disappointed at Aintree but clearly goes well when fresh. He looks sure to give a good account here with his stable having a treble at Carlisle on Thursday. After winning first time out last season, Black Jack Ketchum was an early faller in the World Hurdle and failed to justify favouritism at Aintree, well beaten by Mighty Man. Although he was made to work hard for his Wetherby success on his re-appearance, he travelled well for much of the way and may just have needed the run. With that edge in fitness over his rivals, Black Jack Ketchum can make his turn of foot count here.
Blazing Bailey 9-4fav (11-12) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 9, 39l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Inglis Drever 7-2 (11-10) Held up in last, driven along after 7th, progress to go 3rd approaching 4 out, hung left approaching 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Mighty Man (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 3-1 (10-4) Led 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Auteuil 2m 3f hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct beating Malikhan (10-1) by 8l, 14 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In rear, progress 3 out, ran on to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Wichita Lineman (11-4) by 4l, 10 ran.
Oscar Park (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, smooth headway from 2 out to lead before last, kept on gamely, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar beating Material World (10-9) by 1/2l, 24 ran.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Pressed leader, led 8th, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened quickly, 12th of 20, 37l behind My Way de Solzen (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar '06.
Special Envoy (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 9th, challenged approaching 2 out, led approaching last, clear when fell at the last in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Black Jack Ketchum (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Held up, progress from 9th, going well 2 out, challenged between last 2, ridden to lead flat, edged slightly right, kept on, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov beating Faasel (11-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
