took keen hold, held up, some progress after 5th, no further impression from next
mid-division, headway after 5th, challenged approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out
tracked leader, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, blundered 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
keen in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division until weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, no further impression from 2 out
An interesting opener which could go the way of Paul Nicholls's Pride Of Dulcote, Nicky Henderson's Von Galen and Or Bleu are amongst others to consider. Pride Of Dulcote finished behind Or Bleu on debut in a bumper last May but raced very green that day and will know more about what's required now. He's sure to have been well schooled and he should handle conditions. Von Galen won two of his three starts in points in Ireland and the form of those races looks pretty strong. His stable is in flying form at present and he seems certain to be involved. Or Bleu has run well enough on his three starts over hurdles to suggest that he can figure whilst Silly Wupple and The Great Alfie have run well enough on bumpers to be of interest on their hurdling bows; the latter, in particular, may need a stiffer test than this to show his best though. However, for the selection, we come back to Pride Of Dulcote.
Back To The Wind (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden next, blundered 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind The Package (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Crescent Island (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 4f out to over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 21l behind Midnight Sail (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Led 2nd, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened, 4th of 16, 15l behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Good Line (IRE) 13-8fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, reminders 8f out, soon lost place and behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec '06, 10 ran.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) Held up, headway over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 12, 40l behind Definite Edge (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft.
Johnny Bissett (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon one pace, 3rd of 14, 22l behind I Have Dreamed (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Pop (FR) 11-2 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 44l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Pressgang 20-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, went 2nd just inside final 3f, ridden 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on strongly towards finish, 2nd of 23, hd behind Hairy Molly (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar '06.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader well before 3rd, hit next, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind I'msingingtheblues (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Radmores Revenge 100-1 (10-7) Held up, chased leaders 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 15, 32l behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Schiehallion (IRE) 4-5fav (11-11) In touch, chased leading pair 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 4th of 22, 26l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec '06.
Stripe Me Blue 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 13l behind Oh Crick (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Cilla Black 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 16, 12l behind The Apprentice (10-13) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
