raced keenly, close up on inside, effort 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, not pace of winner
raced keenly, mid-division, headway 3 out, led after next, stayed on well
chased leaders, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway and in touch 3 out, ridden and weakened next
behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed after next, one pace approaching final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
raced keenly and led, hung left bend after 3rd, headed 3 out, outpaced next, 4th and no impresion when hit last
always behind
behind, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, fourth and staying on when blundered 2 out, not recover
behind until driven and kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
Some useful types contest the opener and plenty of winners are likely to obtain in the future. ADIEU MARI is a speculative selection against Noble Alan and Frontier Dancer. Granted, Howard Johnson's charge didn't show a lot last season but in a time when Graham and Andrea Wylie were removing the deadwood in their operation, he survived the cull and any market move would be highly interesting. Noble Alan is likely to be a warm favourite. A solid performer in bumpers, he will need to concede his novice penalty all around. Frontier Dancer was the winner of a weak bumper at Uttoxeter. He made all on that occasion. The time was quite slow given conditions. Mhilu has had plenty of chances in his native Ireland. He will be the benchmark that the handicapper will use. Dual purpose performer, Sea Storm seeks to get his head infront after filling in the runner's up position. Chord was flying a little high vis-a-vis his ability levels when taking on decent sorts in the Aintree bumper. He has had plenty of entries of late but has missed them for various reasons. Ex-Geoff Wragg castoff, Montchara, has proved a bitter disappointment. Baaher was well held on introduction and this race looks tougher. Adieu Mari is the pick in a race for the video watchers.
Mhilu (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to 7th after 4 out, ridden in 6th 3 out, no extra before next, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 12l behind Vital Plot (11-7) at Down Royal 2m hdl gs in Aug.
Noble Alan (GER) 8-11fav (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, led 2 out, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Kealshore Boy (11-7) by 2l, 13 ran.
Adieu Mari (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, well behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (4) hvy in Jan.
Baaher (USA) 14-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, led, jumped right, bumped 3rd, headed next, disputing 2nd when blundered 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 30l behind Sky Calling (10-7) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Blues In The Night (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 8th after 4 out, no extra after next, eased straight, 14th of 16, well behind Waittillitellyou (10-4) at Fairyhouse 3m amt hcp hdl 0-120 gs in Jul.
Chord 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Binocular (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Apr, 10 ran.
Cybersnow (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon headed, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Jewel Of The West (11-7) at Bellewstown 2m 1f nov hdl gd in Jul.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 1-2fav (10-13) Made all, ridden over 2f out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gf in Jun beating Ajimorag (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Masters House (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Led after 3f, ridden approaching 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 7th of 12, 22l behind Russian War (10-11) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Jul.
Montchara (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, beaten from 4 out, last of 13, well behind Marsam (11-13) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Morningside Green 22-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place after 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Laureldean Melody (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
Putitawayforayear (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Lost touch from 3rd, 10th of 12, well behind Back Among Friends (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb '07.
Safari Journey (USA) (9-5) Some late headway, 6th of 20, 5l behind Kipling (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f hcp in Jun (Flat).
Sea Storm (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) In touch, chased winner from 4 out, ridden next, every chance when not fluent last, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Along The Nile (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
