led until 6th, chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after next
held up, niggled from 7th, went 4th approaching 11th, no further impression from 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on same pace from next
prominent, led 6th until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, headway 7th, weakened after 9th
mid-division until weakened 9th
in touch, went 2nd after 7th, led approaching 3 out, kept on well, ridden out
towards rear, hit 9th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Bill's Echo has an absence to overcome, but can prevail over the likes of Stan, Maljimar, and Kosmos Bleu to name but a few. Although Bill's Echo has been off the track since October 2005, you can bet that Paul Nicholls will have the eight-year-old as fit as possible in his bid to make a successful return to the fray. The son of Double Eclipse has plenty of experience over fences, and indeed was a class 2 winner on his last outing at Huntingdon. With that in mind, he has the ability to come out on top here, there is no doubting that fact, it is just a case of him being forward enough. Stan was pulled up at Market Rasen in December, and has struggled a bit with his current mark, while Maljimar was a wee bit unlucky at Chepstow in October but has not really progressed in two runs since. At the age of seven he has more improvement than most of his rivals though, and could be a danger. Kosmos Bleu has gone off the boil and is best watched, so in a race in which bets should be kept on the small side, it is Bill's Echo that is given the nod.
Fait Le Jojo (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Led until headed after 3rd, in touch until weakened before 2 out, 5th of 16, 28l behind Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Bill's Echo 7-2 (9-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Oct '05 beating Wet Lips (10-9) by 7l, 8 ran.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden 7th, soon struggling, tailed off from 10th, 8th of 10, well behind Kenzo III (9-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Stan (NZ) 7-4fav (11-8) Always behind, hit 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Roman Ark (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, chased leaders until 4th, soon struggling, 9th of 12, well behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy.
No Visibility (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 5th, plugged on, 3rd of 5, 27l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
She's Our Native (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Behind, hampered 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Never a factor, 4th of 7, 24l behind The Hardy Boy (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Wild Power (GER) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, found nil, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Better Moment (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Maljimar (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, held up, headway 11th, went 3rd 4 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
