prominent, ridden, weakened 13th, soon weakened
held up last, some headway 11th, weakened 13th, tired when blundered last
prominent, ridden 13th, headway, chased leader after 4 out, effort after 3 out, no chance from 2 out
held up towards rear, jumped left throughout, mistake 5th, effort 11th, ridden, weakened 4 out
held up in mid-division, jumped well throughout, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, jumped into lead 12th, quickened clear 3 out, easily
with leaders at 5th, mid-division until weakened quickly, pulled up after 10th
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 11th, not fluent 13th, soon weakened
led to ridden, headed 12th, pecked badly 3 out, one pace from 2 out
Martin Pipe's horses have been running well after a break of late so the chances are that Commercial Flyer will be fit enough to do himself justice and, in the hope that his jumping is sufficiently good, he gets the vote ahead of Blue Business and Blushing Bull. While there are obvious concerns over the selection's jumping ability on his first start over fences, there are probably even bigger concerns over the jumping ability of the Paul Nicholls-trained Blue Business, who has failed to take to the larger obstacles this term. Stablemate Blushing Bull was not as good as Blue Business over hurdles but is less exposed and has to be respected. Team Tassel was still going well enough when falling three out last time and makes more appeal than Colin Tinkler's Smart Savannah, who has given little cause for optimism in two starts over fences. The vote then goes to Commercial Flyer who was just about the pick of these over hurdles and, if his jumping holds up, he could be good enough to beat these.
A Pound Down (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden after 7th, tailed off and pulled up at the 9th in race won by He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Beaufort County (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 7th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 10, 46l behind Calatagan (10-11) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Blue Business 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place and not fluent 6th, soon ridden, struggling from next, 11th of 14, well behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Blushing Bull 7-1 (10-4) Chased leaders until weakened 5th, soon behind, 8th of 9, 29l behind Dom d'Orgeval (10-11) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Commercial Flyer (IRE) 13-2co-fav (11-10) Held up in rear, smooth headway, tracked leaders well before 2 out, chased winner 2 out to last, no extra flat, 5th of 17, 7l behind Yes Sir (11-9) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Apr.
Shannon Quest (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Chased leaders to 7th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Glen Thyne (10-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 12 ran.
Smart Savannah 14-1 (10-11) In touch, pecked 4th, soon lost touch, stayed on from 3 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind See You Sometime (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gd in Nov '04.
Team Tassel (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Led, ridden after 13th, slight advantage when fell 3 out in race won by Taranis (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jan, 9 ran.
