held up, headway 6th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
soon close up, hit 3 out, soon led, stayed on well from 2 out, left well clear last
led until 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division until dropped rear 5th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, snatched 2nd near finish
always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
prominent until after 5th, soon behind, pulled up after 3 out
pulled hard, held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, clear 2nd, held when fell last
mid-division, headway 6th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, left 2nd last, lost 2nd near finish
held up, ridden and headway after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
Arresting is the highest rated horse in the race but Irish raiders are notoriously badly handicapped on these shores so it may not pay to take too much notice. Preference is for INSIGNIA ahead of Stance, Top Trees and Sir Monty. Insignia won a selling hurdle in October before struggling to hold his own once stepped up in grade. He's also been in action over fences lately which hasn't suited but the return to hurdling at a more suitable level could bring about a return to form. Arresting has to be feared as he's the one to beat at the weights and has his trainer's excellent record in his favour. A peak form Stance would go close but he has disappointed the last twice and doesn't appear to be one to rely on at present. Sir Monty exchanges cheekpieces for blinkers and drops in grade and trip; the combination could help to bring about an improved performance. Top Trees has been off the track for some time but he's returning to action at a realistic level and has a top amateur booked so has to enter the reckoning. He may not have everything but Insignia has the vote.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, weakened 6th, 9th of 10, 40l behind Quasar D'oudairies (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Chunky Lad 11-1 (10-13) Headway 2nd, soon tracking leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 6th, led 3 out until headed and weakened next, 4th of 8, 17l behind Alrafid (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gf.
Insignia (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Always behind, struggling from 1st, lost touch 6th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Silver Adonis (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Stance 9-4fav (11-9) Towards rear, ridden and mistake 5th, soon struggling, 7th of 15, 36l behind Silver Sister (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Arresting 66-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed soon after 2 out and weakened, 12th of 21, 18l behind Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gd in Nov '07.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led 2nd, headed before 4th, led after 6th until headed before 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 16, well behind The Wooden Spoon (11-12) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Sir Monty (USA) 11-2 (10-1) Chased leader to 5th, ridden before next, chased winner 7th until approaching 3 out, one pace before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Petrus De Sormain (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Thomas Lawrence (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly, 10th of 13, well behind Nearby (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Top Trees 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden to dispute 2nd after 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Lord Lington (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Aug '07.
Joli Classical (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In touch, headway after 7th, led 9th until next, soon weakened, last of 8, 50l behind Long Hop (11-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Bombardier Wells 33-1 (10-4) Always in rear, 8th of 11, well behind Marchand D'argent (10-13) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
