led until 13th, chased winner, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway fifth, ridden to challenge 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakening when mistake last
chased leaders until lost place 14th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd flat
never fluent, held up, blundered and unseated rider 5th
fell, chased leaders, ridden after 12th, dropped to rear 14th, behind when fell 3 out
always prominent, not fluent 8th, led 13th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on strongly from last, ridden out
held up, ridden and headway after 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened
held up, headway 13th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, effort approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
Mighty Moose should appreciate the drop in class here but as he is yet to categorically prove that he stays three miles, we will plump instead for Alfadora ahead of Bosham Mill. The selection is likely to appreciate the step back up in trip having run fairly well last time out over shorter at Cheltenham. The quicker pace on that day put more pressure on his jumping which let his down at times but with this likely to be run at a slightly more sedate pace, a big run can be expected. Notanothernortherndonkey was still in with every chance when falling last time out at Ludlow and this is his time of year so a big run can be expected, along with Nougat De L'Isle who is very consistent. Yaboya has been consistently bad of late but as he was a decent hurdler he should not be written off just yet, whilst Mambo Des Mottes is likely to have improved for his recent run. It's Crucial has place claims at least once again, however in an open race it is Alfadora who receives the nomination.
Bosham Mill 7-4fav (10-5) In touch, headway after 11th, led 14th, stayed on strongly, in command from 3 out, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul '06 beating Comanche War Paint (11-2) by 11l, 8 ran.
Yaboya (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Opera Mundi (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Mr Ed (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 8th, ridden 12th, never a factor, 8th of 11, 16l behind Spring Lover (10-11) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 4-1 (10-4) Chased leader to 3rd, prominent, blundered 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 37l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Brumous (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 11th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Leading Authority (11-7) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed when not fluent 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Lead On (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft.
Its Crucial (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) Not always fluent, held up in rear, headway from 3 out, chased leaders last, chased winner but no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Officier De Reserve (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Always behind, 6th of 22, 45l behind Lampion Du Bost (9-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Alfadora 4-1fav (10-4) Mid-division, hit 3rd, lost place 8th, mistake 11th, soon ridden, no impression, 7th of 13, 18l behind Which Pocket (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Notanotherdonkey (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden when fell 5 out in race won by Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 10 ran.