keen early, made all, drew clear approaching last, eased towards finish, easily
raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced when disputed 2nd last, ridden, kept on flat, no impression
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place next, no danger after
behind, outpaced approaching 2 out, never on terms
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden after 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden, stayed on from last, no impression
chased winner, driven, outpaced after 2 out, held on under pressure for 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, some headway 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 3 out, 4th when hit next, no impression when blundered last
behind, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Penalties for Atticus Boy and King's Jester make life tougher so whilst they are the two to beat from a form point of view, we will take a chance on Gun Smith being good enough to win first time up over hurdles. The selection represents the powerful comb of Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy and having contested a valuable Newbury bumper last season, he could prove to be good enough first time out this season. Likely to be well schooled and also likely to act on this ground, he gets our vote. King's Jester won well at the fruity Cartmel track last time out, although as the big wheel and other monstrosities of the 'Family Fun Day' were in the way, personally I failed to see from the grandstand. However, the form appears to be solid and the ground should suit, however a penalty makes life tougher and so he will need to step up today. Tsaroxy is an interesting contender first time up as he was rated in the mid-eighties on the flat at his best and looks the type to do well over obstacles. Got The Gift is another to consider having shown some promise to date although he doesn't look the most straightforward. Magnum Opus and Malech are two converts from the flat but both were distinctly average and so we are happy to return to Gun Smith as the selection.
Atticus Boy (USA) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 4th, made rest, left 12 lengths clear 2 out, eased near finish, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sept beating Amjad (10-3) by 6l, 14 ran.
King's Jester (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, headway 2 out, led after last, ridden clear flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug beating Mad Professor (10-13) by 10l, 10 ran.
Filey Buoy 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear and mistakes, struggling from 4th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Tirol Livit (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Following Flow (USA) 100-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some late headway final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 15, 7l behind Yorkshire Blue (9-4) at Hamilton 6f clm (6) gf in Sept (Flat).
Given A Choice (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 8th of 11, well behind Summer Lodge (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Got The Gift (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, saddle slipped and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Middleton Dene (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
Gun Smith 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 20th of 21, well behind Diamond Harry (10-9) at Newbury 2m nhf (2) sft in Mar.
Malech (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 6th, 7th of 15, 29l behind Ahmedy (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Tsaroxy (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, lost place over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Hawkit (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug (Flat).
Drumconnor Lady (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, well behind Soniadoir (10-8) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl gs in Aug.
Richtee (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Edas (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Magnum Opus (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 7th of 16, well behind Pevensey (10-9) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
