mid-division, driven along after 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off
always behind, ridden and struggling after 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, fell next
behind, no chance when hampered 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden and every chance from 3 out, stayed on same pace from last
always in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
close up, headway to chase leader 3 out, still challenging 2 out, weakened badly flat (disqualified for failing to weigh in)
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, soon well behind and pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, chased leader to 3 out, weakening when hampered, tailed off
led 2nd, set strong pace, hit 3 out, ridden and tired when hit last, headed and weakened flat
chased leaders, blundered 4 out, ridden and weakened next, tailed off
chased leaders, under pressure after 4 out, weakened into 5th, no chance when fell 2 out
mid-division, under pressure after 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway under pressure from 3 out, 3rd and still plenty to do last, stayed on well to lead flat, won going away
chased leaders, ridden and weakening when hampered 2 out, tailed off
Low Delta, Immense and Porta Vogie have to be high on the shortlist but a tentative vote goes the way of WORLD SHIFT in the hope that he can leave his Rules form a long way behind. Connections have resorted to a combination of aids and a step up in trip of a mile for his handicap bow in an attempt to get the best out of him and it may just work. He's a brother to Well Chief so there has to be a doubt about the trip, but he did show a decent level of form in Irish Points so there are grounds to believe that he'll last home. Hillridge may not have handled the ground at Chepstow and his previous two runs make him worthy of a second look but the consistent Low Delta has more obvious claims and should still be competitive. Immense is another who has to prove his worth over a longer trip but the son of Montjeu did stay on quite encouragingly at Doncaster with a combination of aids applied for the first time although he appears to have his own ideas. Porta Vogie produced a career best to finish a close third to the progressive Bally Conn at Kempton when doing all of his best work at the finish. He's only gone up by a pound for that and Michael Murphy is able to claim six as he's riding for his employer which is another big plus but we're still going to take a risk with World Shift.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Led to 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Bally Conn (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Low Delta (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Held up, good headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 18, 8l behind Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
World Shift (GER) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pepite De Soleil (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Tinchel (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place approaching 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gallileo Figaro (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs, 20 ran.
Ben Ryan (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) A.p; led 3 out; r.o wl, won at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd in Feb '08 beating Alexander Musical (12-0) by 11l, 16 ran.
Free To Air 14-1 (11-5) Behind, hit 4th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, went moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 15, 25l behind Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Porta Vogie (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway from 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on well flat, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Bally Conn (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Lunar Rock (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, struggling when fell 4 out in race won by Charity Lane (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Ashwell Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Nearly A Breeze (10-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Particle (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In rear, last 8th, hopelessly tailed off when mistake 2 out, 13th of 15, well behind Prince of Persia (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Immense (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) In touch, reminders 3rd, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Well Disguised (10-11) at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Montana Gold (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 6th, hit 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, 14l behind Freeline Fury (11-1) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Sawpit Sunset 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden to chase clear leader after 3 out until next, one pace, 3rd of 16, 22l behind Quillygham (11-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Hillridge 9-1 (10-0) Held up last, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 37l behind Synchronised (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Oscar Owen (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 5 out, 11th of 14, well behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Indian Chase 33-1 (10-1) Pulled hard, in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Pacco (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Apr.
