in touch, headway 3 out, led narrowly before next, headed last, ridden and rallied flat, just held
tracked leaders, smooth headway 3 out, challenged next, driven to lead last, ridden and held on under pressure flat
led to before 2 out, soon weakened
never better than mid-division
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 6th, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
held up behind, smooth headway 3 out, joined leaders and every chance approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last
held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression
tracked leader, driven 6th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 2nd, kept on from 2 out, never nearer
blundered 1st, always behind
held up towards rear
Having stayed two miles on the flat it was no surprise to see THE BETCHWORTH KID show his best form late on in the race when making a winning debut over hurdles at Plumpton last month and Alan King's gelding can follow up that success, getting the vote here ahead of Tito Bustillo and Present To You. The last mentioned looks the pick of the two runners in the race trained by Philip Hobbs ahead of Cappagh, who is bred to be useful but makes his debut today and is amateur ridden, but Present To You has shown winning form in an Irish point and made a pleasing rules debut in an Ascot bumper. David Pipe's Regain Du Charbonneau has not progressed as much as may have been anticipated and disappointed on his hurdling debut so a bigger threat is likely to come from Tito Bustillo. The four-year-old showed some ability in France but has already looked better since joining Paul Nicholls and the Chepstow winner has to be respected having been outclassed in a better race than this at Cheltenham last time. The Betchworth Kid has an obvious chance though and looks the one to beat.
The Betchworth Kid 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, 2nd at 5th, closed on leader 3 out, challenged 2 out, narrow advantage soon after last, ridden to assert flat, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov beating King Edmund (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 11-2 (11-4) In touch, closed 3 out, stumbled 2 out, went 2nd when mistake last, faded, 5th of 8, 7l behind Loosen My Load (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Art Deco (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders when blundered badly 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Thumbs Up (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Cappagh (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Random Bless.
Colonna Lecca (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Held up, under pressure 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 39l behind John's Gift (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Dean's Grange 14-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 1st, headway after 9th, close 3rd when hit 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 5, 12l behind Nur Tau (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Flying Squad (UAE) 100-1 (11-0) Hit 4th, always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Finian's Rainbow (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 8th of 16, 29l behind Black Apache (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Kaycee (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Pressed leader until hampered and lost place bend after 5f, rear after, 11th of 15, 50l behind Any The Wiser (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Present To You (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, chased winner over 3f out until over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 9l behind Nodforms Violet (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
The Brimmer (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Pr early, still cl up 4out, wkning when fell next, in a race won by Pabico (12-0) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp in Nov, 14 ran.
Galloise (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led , headed 7f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 21l behind Fantastic Morning (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gs in Jul '07 (flat).
Mrs Overall 100-1 (10-2) In touch, gradually lost place 3 out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Pepe Simo (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Nov.
