held up, headway 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 4th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on but always held flat
held up mid-division, weakened after 4th, soon beaten
made all, clear last, pushed out, comfortable
prominent, lost touch after 3rd, soon beaten and weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on but not troubled leaders
held up rear, stayed on from 2 out, nearest finish
close up, staying on when mistake 2 out, weakened before last
always behind, pulled up before last
held up, headway 4th, not fluent 2 out and soon weakened
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, not reached leaders
tracked winner, effort 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon one pace
Goblet of Fire can overhaul Distant Prospect, with Bay Kenny and Barton Sands expected to be in the shake-up. Goblet of Fire was fairly useful on the level for Brian Meehan, but by the time he lined up in the Cambridgeshire, it was evident that a change of scenery would sweeten him up. Paul Nicholls took him to Ascot for his debut over hurdles and he can be considered an unlucky loser, as Ruby Walsh dropped his reins while disputing the lead on the run-in. One or two pundits have questioned the gelding's resolution but he should be given a chance at this level. Distant Prospect won the Cesarewitch two years ago but that was to be his last victory, so he too has been switched to the winter game. Second to Albuhera over the course and distance on his debut over timber, he will win soon but we would have rather seen him put over further. Bumper winner Bay Kenny is sure to have been well schooled, but Barton Sands, pulled up on his only try over hurdles, has shown little on the flat since. So, for the winner we return to Goblet of Fire.
