tracking leaders when fell 10th
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
behind, jumped slowly 7th, headway 12th, chased leaders 2 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway before 12th, every chance 3 out, soon under pressure, no extra approaching last
held up, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on well under pressure
in touch when fell 1st
mid-division, headway after 10th, chasing leaders when bad mistake 12th, led approaching 2 out, held on well under pressure
held up in mid-divison when hampered, unseated rider 1st
led until approaching 7th, under pressure 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out
Nonrunner
Nycteos, Whispered Secret and Maljimar are the three to consider here, and the classy Nycteos is taken to make a winning seasonal re-appearance. Whispered Secret has not been seen since chasing home Taranis in a valuable Sandown handicap hurdle in February, but had earlier beaten Hennessy fancy New Alco over fences. Only six pounds higher here, Whispered Secret has a live chance. A course winner last season, Maljimar has the edge on fitness over his principal rivals here, having travelled well at Cheltenham on his seasonal debut, before being just run out of it close home by Knowhere. Five pounds higher here, he can hit the frame. Nycteos doesnt have the benefit of a previous run, but he has won three of his six starts over fences, culminating in a success in a competitive affair at Cheltenham in April. He is nine pounds higher here, but Nycteos is taken to defy top weight.
Nycteos (FR) 10-3 (10-4) Made all, looked well in command between last 2, idled under pressure run-in, held on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Too Forward (11-10) by 3l, 6 ran.
Supreme Prince (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed after 4th, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 14, 43l behind Don't Push It (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Ardaghey (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up behind, blundered badly 1st, ridden and weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Abragante (10-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In touch, pushed along when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Hoo La Baloo (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Whispered Secret (GER) 12-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2 out, soon ridden stayed on strongly flat, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Taranis (10-3) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Chief Yeoman 28-1 (11-1) Hit 4th, mid-division until 11th, soon behind, 17th of 19, well behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Patricksnineteenth (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 9th, headed 4 out, outpaced next, soon ridden, rallied to lead again flat, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr beating Incas (10-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Kelrev (FR) 50-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Idole First (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Maljimar (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Mid-division, smooth headway 2 out, soon ridden, ran on strongly from last, led flat until headed close home, 2nd of 19, nk behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Free Gift 9-4 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, 16l behind Big Rob (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.
Warpath (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Made all, joined and challenged 4 out when left clear, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct beating Michabo (11-3) by 5l, 14 ran.
Mr Boo (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Raced in 3rd, effort 4 out, driven next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 45l behind Lord Jay Jay (10-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
The Entomologist (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 8th, made rest, driven and stayed on gamely flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Donovan (10-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
