soon chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out, beaten when blundered last
held up in rear, struggling after 3 out, tailed off
in touch, hit 4th, driven after 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off, pulled up approaching 2 out
made most to approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
chased leader, challenged 4 out, driven, weakened soon after 2 out
mid-division, ridden before 2 out, weakened and hit 2 out
behind, hit 5th, weakened next, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden well before 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, held up in rear, smooth headway on bit approaching 2 out, soon challenging, led, hit last, pushed clear run-in
chased leaders, ridden well before 2 out, weakening when hit 2 out
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, hit 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, soon went 3rd, no chance with front pair when blundered last, lost 3rd near finish
in touch, headway approaching 2 out, led 2 out, headed last, no chance with run-in but clear 2nd
always in rear
behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on but never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
soon chasing leaders, reminders 3rd, driven before 2 out, stayed on run in to take 3rd near finish but no chance with front pair
A big field here but this may not be as competitive as it first looks if The Tother One continues to improve and he can take the prize from Saunders Road, Mandingo Chief and Great Approach. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection was very impressive when dotting up on soft ground in a novices' handicap contest at Newbury last week, and looks more than capable of defying a penalty. The yard are, of course, flying and he has a nice racing weight to carry here so he can continue to progress. Saunders Road loves the mud and was staying on well when winning here last month. That was solid form to bring to the party here and he can again go very well. Mandingo Chief comes from a yard in great form and has a feather weight here, but the ground may be a bit too testing for him here and so he is just opposed. Great Approach loves a test of stamina and getting his toe in, and with a strong enough pace likely here he will get both those today. A big run is anticipated, though Nicky Richards has not had a hurdles winner at the track in over five seasons. Connections have persevered with Historic Place, who has slipped down the handicap and has one win to his name, on heavy ground, so he may be one to look at at a price, but The Tother One has plenty in his favour and is the one to be on.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Behind when fell at the 5th in race won by Star De Mohaison (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr '06, 15 ran.
Hoh Viss 9-1 (11-2) With leader, mistake 11th, ridden 14th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) sft in Mar.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 8th, weakened soon after 10th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 32l behind Arafan (9-11) at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Ask The Gatherer (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) In touch, losing place when badly hampered 8th, not recover, 10th of 13, well behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Stumped 33-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, under pressure 5th, not fluent next, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 34l behind Esprit de Corps (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Midas Way 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 14l behind Wingman (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Great Approach (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden after 2 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Carapuce (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Surface To Air 10-3 (10-4) Behind, headway 3 out, hung right and led flat, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr '06 beating Cave of The Giant (10-8) by 1l, 18 ran.
Swift Sailor 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 24l behind Esprit de Corps (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Patsy Bee (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Behind, struggling when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Killard Point (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
The Tother One (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, effort on outside going easily from 3 out, challenged on bit last, soon led, clear and heavily eased fat, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs beating Merlin's Magic (11-9) by 12l, 10 ran.
Insignia (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 16, 11l behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Saunders Road (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, driven to lead 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov beating Stolen Moments (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Arafan (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Held up, hit 10th, driven after 3 out, headway from next, chased leaders last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Tora Bora (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Historic Place (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 20, 4l behind Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar '06.
Sandymac (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Always prominent, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Kimono Royal (10-7) by 2l, 15 ran.
Scaramouche 25-1 (11-0) In touch, going well, smooth headway on bit approaching 2 out, led between last 2, driven clear flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb beating Ruling Reef (9-7) by 2l, 13 ran.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Prominent, blundered and lost place 14th, behind when mistake 3 out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Otantique (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
