mid-division until badly hampered 3rd, towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened next
chasing leaders when fell 3rd
always towards rear
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up towards rear, steady progress from 4th, led 2 out, stayed on well from last, ridden out
led until after 1st, tracked leader, riden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, kept on, no extra from last
mid-division until weakened 5th, tailed off
in touch, hit 2nd, struggling 5th, soon behind, tailed off
in touch, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out
led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, blundered last
mid-division, hampered 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, held from last
towards rear, struggling when hit 4th, never a danger
always behind
Plenty of ifs and buts and a few maybes thrown in as well for good measure. AUX LE BAHNN may be the answer to the conundrum whilst Kosmos Bleu and Bonchester Bridge may be able to get involved. Noel Chance won this race with a well backed runner in 2004 and it would be no surprise were the selection to be well supported as he has been on a number of his starts. In light of that, it's a shade disappointing that he hasn't been able to add to his two bumper wins but he hasn't many miles on the clock and may be able to deliver this term. Supreme Duke looked promising last year and could leave his reappearance form behind whilst the likes of Quizzene, Artadi and Bold Punt are sure to have their supporters and deservedly so. Kosmos Bleu has been raised 8lbs for his first success over hurdles from Mister Wiseman which leaves him looking vulnerable but he is fit and well. Bonchester Bridge made a satisfactory return over fences but remains a pound higher than her highest winning mark over hurdles and is vulnerable to an improver but handles the track and won't be ring rusty. Aux Le Bahnn may be the way to go with a top conditional booked. (Ian Ogg)
Supreme Duke (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, beaten 2 out, disputing 8th when fell at the last in race won by Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Quizzene (USA) 11-8jt-fav (11-2) With leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, weakened after 2 out, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Abstract Art (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Artadi (FR) 1-5fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and rider lost irons soon after last, caught near finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Danehill Willy (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May '07.
Mister Wiseman 9-2jt-fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden to lead 2 out, headed final stride, 2nd of 11, hd behind Kosmos Bleu (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Aux Le Bahnn (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, pushed along 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Very Cool (11-9) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
At The Money 13-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 28l behind Pistol Desbois (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar.
Pseudonym (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) In rear, headway and not much room approaching 7th, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 17, 18l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Serhaaphim 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 7l behind Squadron (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden and lost place 6th, rallied after 3 out, stayed on flat, led final stride, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct beating Mister Wiseman (11-5) by a hd, 11 ran.
Supsonic 14-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Moon Star (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Pickamus (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led 2nd, headed after 4, remained prominent until weakened under pressure after 3 out, 5th of 12, 45l behind Quickbeam (11-12) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
Bonchester Bridge 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Always prominent, ridden and switched left approaching last, went 2nd flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Et Maintenant (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Bold Punt (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Led to 4 out, rallied approaching last, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Apr beating Innominate (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Diarius (GER) 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and hung left approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 20, 13l behind Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division until weakened after 4th, 12th of 14, well behind Border Castle (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
