led, hit 4th, not fluent 10th, headed approaching and mistake 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, still every chance, no extra flat
held up in touch, headway after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, shaken up flat, kept on well
tracked leader, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced
held up, hit 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
held up and keen, hit 3rd, not fluent 4 out, weakened quickly 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, headway to go 3rd after 2 out, one pace
MOBAASHER is taken to land this beginners' contest, while Leac An Scail is the one to chase him home. The selection was rated miles clear of these on hurdling form and was rated good enough to run in last season's World Hurdle from an official mark of 157. Decent ground suits Venetia Williams' charge and with a clear round he can make it a winning chase debut. Nom De Guerre has been knocking-on-the-door in chases for Ben De Haan, stays well and acts on good ground, but he is nothing special and looks up against it. Leac An Scail was not too far away from The Hollinwell, rated highly by Ferdy Murphy, at Hexham last month and he too enjoys a sound surface, while he won't mind any rain. He is a genuine sort who should be fully tuned up now and can go well. Rude Not To is an interesting debutant from a in-form yard, and he comes here after an Irish point success, so is respected. Pheidias needs to improve but can show more than last time out, but Mobaasher looks the one to be with.
Arctic Echo 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sullumo (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Held up, headway 4 out, effort 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3l behind The Hollinwell (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gs in Nov.
Mobaasher (USA) 33-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 14, 31l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked clear leader, led after 14th, jumped right and headed soon after 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Busker Royal (11-6) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Pheidias (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Chased leaders to before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 14, 19l behind River Logic (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Rude Not To (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Made all, nvr challanged, won at Stradbally 3m ire ptp gd in Apr '08 beating Narrandera (12-0) by 2l, 17 ran.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, staying on in 8th when blundered last, no chance with leaders, 8th of 17, 19l behind Wolf Moon (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
