held up, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, hanging left, not fluent last, weakened flat
took keen hold, held up, lost touch 6th
held up, chased leading pair from 4th, jumped right 6th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, lost touch 6th
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 3 out, soon pushed along, driven approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, ran on well towards finish, just failed
in rear, ridden, headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
in rear, headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased clear leader, closed 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, just held on
raced freely, led, clear 2nd until not fluent 6th, not fluent next, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
Forty Five is an interesting contender on his hurdling debut however SPORTING MEDIC has the benefit of experience and is fancied to successfully give weight away all round. A well-related son of Supreme Leader, the selection was picked up for 24,000 guineas at the Doncaster horses in training sales. His sole win when trained in Ireland came on quicker ground so he probably wouldn't want much rain, and assuming he is fit after two months off the track then he is fancied to score with Barry Geraghty an interesting jockey booking. Shali San won her first bumper start last season and then wasn't disgraced in a better race later in the season; getting weight from all her rivals she would be interesting as she is sure to have been well-schooled. Smack That is one of several interesting Philip Rothwell runners across from Ireland, whilst Take Me There and Forty Five should be considered on their hurdles debuts. Old Brigade needs this run for a mark, so a bigger danger could be On Spec whose trainer always starts the season well. An intriguing contest, with preference for Sporting Medic.
Sporting Medic (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, headway to 3rd 4 out, 2nd next, ridden in 5th and no extra 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 24l behind Prince Roco (11-1) at Naas 2m 3f hdl gf in Jul.
Forty Five (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, progress 5f out, went 2nd approaching straight, soon led, strongly pressed from over 1f out, kept on same pace and headed close home, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Perlogan (10-13) at Listowel 2m 4f nhf gd in Jun '07.
Inspector Frost 25-1 (11-0) Keen early, held up in touch, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 11, 31l behind Great Endeavour (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Old Brigade (IRE) 125-1 (10-11) Always behind, 7th of 13, well behind Nikos Extra (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
On Spec 17-2 (10-6) Led, ridden and headed over 5f out, led again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded, 6th of 11, 12l behind Its Tough (11-0) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Smack That (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, progress into 5th approaching 3 out, 3rd before straight, 4th and kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 5th of 18, 14l behind Randall's Diana (10-11) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Sept.
Strategic Plan (FR) 28-1 (11-1) Led, soon clear, jumped right 4th and came back to field, headed after next, soon weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Kingscape (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Take Me There 14-1 (11-4) Always behind, 9th of 20, 32l behind Honest John (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Shali San (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 19, 19l behind Dayia (10-10) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Mar.
