mid-division, driven along after 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, no chance when stumbled and hampered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway 8th, not fluent 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat
chased leaders, mistake 8th, not much room on inside approaching 4 out, kept on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no trouble winner
always prominent, hit 5th, challenged approaching 4 out, led going well approaching 2 out, shaken up flat, readily
held up, ridden 8th, soon behind
prominent until after 3rd, last at 7th, no danger after
held up, hit 7th, headway approaching 4 out, kept on well final 100 yards
held up, mistake 4th, blundered 5th, pulled up before 6th
led until blundered 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 5th, regained lead approaching 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra final 100 yards
prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last
behind, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders
jumped right at several fences, led after 1st, headed approaching 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, unseated rider and fell 3 out (ditch)
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Made In Japan looked to be back to something like his best at Cheltenham just over a fortnight ago and he is preferred over Town Crier, Caracciola and Almaydan. The last named won three times as a novice and can continue to pay his way this season. However, he may be better off giving weight to inferior horses at this stage and faces a stiff test today. Caracciola proved his well being over hurdles last time and his confidence will have been boosted no end by his comfortable success at Lingfield. He looks the first string from the in-form Nicky Henderson yard and is one to seriously consider if the market passes on strong vibes about his chance. Town Crier also hails from a stable that are on the crest of a wave and he too cannot be confidently ruled out. Sue Smith's charge has a useful turn of foot and will not be inconvenienced by the ground. However, he does have a habit of taking a few chances at his fences and will not get away with mistakes in this company. Others to note include: Bleu Superbe, who is a consistent type that still retains all his enthusiasm at the age of ten, while the booking of Timmy Murphy catches the eye for Pak Jack, who is lightly weighted for his fourth start of the campaign. However, preference goes to last year's winner of the Triumph Hurdle, Made In Japan, who now looks to be coming into his own as a chaser and, with Richard Johnson doing the steering, is expected to be the main hope for the Phillip Hobbs team. Good ground ideally suits this son of Barathea and a bold bid is expected from him this afternoon.
Kadount (FR) 8-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 5th, chased leading trio after 8th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, 7th of 11, 44l behind Monkerhostin (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs.
Caracciola (GER) 5-1 (11-9) Held up, in rear, headway after 3 out, led approaching last, all out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Oct beating Guru (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Non So (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, blundered 4th, weakened from 5 out, 10th of 15, 37l behind Fota Island (11-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Made In Japan (JPN) 14-1 (10-10) Set good pace, ridden between last 2, headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Bold Bishop (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (B) gs.
Town Crier (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, hit 5th, led appoaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Brooklyn Breeze (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Oct.
Colca Canyon (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Close up, mistake 3rd and 7th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 45l behind Impek (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (A) gd.
Master Rex 11-2 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off before 2 out, 6th of 7, 41l behind Caracciola (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Oct.
Almaydan 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Provocative (11-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Oct.
Le Seychellois (FR) 10-3 (11-1) Held up last and jumped left throughout, mistake 7th, hit 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kadount (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
Bonus Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Prominent, jumped left 3rd, pushed along 8th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Bill's Echo (9-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leader, lost place 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Island Faith (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs.
Tanikos (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Led, joined 7th, narrowly headed next, stayed chasing winner but held from after 2 out, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Haafel (10-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft.
Pak Jack (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, good headway from 4th, chased leader before 8th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Armaturk (11-12) at Lingfield 2m lst hcp chs (A) gd in Oct.
Gazump (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Led, headed 4th, weakened from 6th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Bannow Strand (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs, 16 ran.
Ground Ball (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 8th, 10th of 11, well behind Monkerhostin (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs.
Dempsey (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, went upsides from 5th until hit 8th, lost 2nd 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Ashley Brook (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr.
Dangerousdanmagru (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 4th, led and hit 3 out, clear next, pushed out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) hvy beating Jericho III (11-7) by 12l, 5 ran.
