close up, headway to 3rd going well approaching 2 out, led soon after 2 out, kept on well flat, readily
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, blundered 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
mid-division until ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, pushed along and weakened after 3 out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on inside well before 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after 2 out
led, headed approaching 2 out, stayed front rank, hit last, rallied into 2nd soon after, no chance with winner
chased leaders until weakened well before 2 out
mid-division, weakened well before 2 out
mid-division, headway on outside approaching 2 out, chasing leader trio when blundered last, not quicken
chased leader, led before and mistake 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, weakened into 3rd soon after
TITO BUSTILLO sets a stiff standard for Rock Celtic and Spirit of Adjisa to aim at. Rated 133, it will take a fair sort to beat Paul Nicholls' four-year-old despite the fact that there are winners penalties to be conceded. A winning middle distance performer on the flat in France, he comfortably accounted for The Betchworth Kid at the course earlier this month. Rock Celtic is one of two entries for Philip Hobbs. Richard Johnson has chosen him ahead of Robain so a note must be made of that decision especially as the apparent second string comes from a pedigree that suggests that a slog in the mud will be ideal. Spirit Of Adjisa had a good season on the level for Pat Eddery. There was no disgrace in finishing second to Oscar Whisky on hurdling debut. Rigadin De Beauchene represents an in form yard so cannot be completely written off. Jadalee was listed class on the flat in 2006 though has somewhat regressed from those dizzy heights. Akiem has been easy to back on his racecourse appearances thus far whilst Dean's Grange has a little to prove with our selection though has very solid claims of reaching the places. Hard to get away from Tito Bustillo so we seek not to.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, smooth headway 3 out, challenged next, driven to lead last, ridden and held on under pressure flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft beating The Betchworth Kid (11-8) by nk, 14 ran.
Akiem (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, left 4th last, hampered and kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 19l behind Makhzoon (10-12) at Leicester 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) hvy.
Argentis (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, over jumped 1st, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, blundered last, 4th of 8, 24l behind Cheshire Prince (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Art Man 11-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, steady headway to track leading trio 3f out, driven and stayed on from over 1f out, closed on leading pair near finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Dakiyah (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun (flat).
Chipless (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Disputed lead to 5f out, ridden and weakened after, 15th of 17, well behind Jau (11-2) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec '08.
Clouseau (NZ) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, weakened approaching last, 10th of 12, 36l behind Seventh Cavalry (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Dean's Grange 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 14, 20l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Jadalee (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led 10f out, ridden and headed just inside final 4f, weakened rapidly, 4th of 6, 17l behind King Supreme (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov (flat).
Maggio (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, lost place before 2 out, 7th of 14, 22l behind Pepe Simo (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Rigadin De Beauchene (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along after 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 11l behind Aegean Dawn (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Robain (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 14l behind John's Gift (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Rock Celtic (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 3, 1/2l behind Delta Bravo (8-10) at Aix-Les-Bains(FR) 1m 4f 3yo stk in Jun '08 (flat).
Spirit of Adjisa (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders approaching 3rd last, kept on same pace after next, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Foot To The Flora 66-1 (10-10) Always behind, mistake 2nd, struggling 3 out, soon tailed off, last of 11, well behind Sure Josie Sure (10-7) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
