prominent, ridden 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, weakening when fell last
led to 5th, chased leader, hit 8th, ridden 4 out, held in 3rd when fell 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 5th, headed 4 out, rallied and stayed on to go 3rd approaching last
mid-division, headway and chased leader 9th, led 4 out, ridden after 3 out, driven out, just held on
chased leader, mistake 2nd, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, ran on well from last, just failed
mid-division, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, ridden and kept on from 3 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 10th, weakened 4 out
always towards rear, hit 5th, one pace from 4 out
in touch, hit 8th and 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
It may not have been the Gold Cup, but Never So Blue could not have been more impressive at Wincanton last time and can follow up here, with Rajam perhaps the main danger. The Venetia Williams-trained selection jumped impeccably at the nearby track and had the race in the bag from a long way out, in the end winning by over 50 lengths. A 7lb penalty looks nothing like enough to prevent him going in again. Rajam, on the other hand, had to tough it out but did so well to win at Sandown last week and is more than capable of putting up another bold display with an extra 7lb to shoulder. Eluvaparty needs to improve on his effort in a poor Exeter contest last time, but did at least win that, while Ronald Jack should be helped by the handicapper releasing at least some of his grip and could show better form now. Obelix De Longechaux has a chance if his trainer of that name, Noel, has him fit after a lengthy absence, but he looks best watched and we will confidently side with Never So Blue.
Space Star 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 5th, pushed along after 9th, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 20l behind Rookery Lad (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun '06.
Eluvaparty 66-1 (11-2) Led until 4th, outpaced and dropped rear next, behind 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gf in Nov beating Pseudonym (11-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Rajam 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 8th, made rest, clear 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs beating Harringay (11-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, driven along and struggling from 4 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Ronald Jack (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Not fluent in rear, soon in touch, blundered 15th and 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out pulled up at the last in race won by Harrycone Lewis (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Dunlea Dancer 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, ridden, hung right after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 7, 11l behind Dicey Dancer (10-0) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm in Nov.
Oumeyade (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 6, 9l behind Dhehdaah (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Spike Jones (NZ) 20-1 (11-5) Towards rear, mistake and jumped right 4th, behind from 11th, 7th of 11, 29l behind Master d'Or (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Noble Bily (FR) 16-1 (10-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders 12th, narrow lead 3 out, headed next, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Beat The Boys (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Flashing Wild (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 8th, ridden when mistake next, weakened, 5th of 10, 18l behind Magot De Grugy (11-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Kalamazoo (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, close up when pecked 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Park Drive (10-12) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Never So Blue (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Chased leader, led 9th, clear 12th, unchallenged, eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Chimichurri (10-11) by a distance, 7 ran.
Orsus (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, kept on, always held from next, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Spike Jones (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
