held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, not fluent 3 out, disputing 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, behind when jumped slowly 5th, tailed off next, 30 lenghts behind 2 out, went 4th flat
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened well before 2 out
led until 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden after 2 out, headed last, one pace
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, edged left flat, driven out
not always fluent, chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, gradually lost place, behind 4 out
pressed leader, hit 8th, lost 2nd 4 out, weakening when hung right and not much room bend well before 2 out
JOSE BOVE is our call in this competitive affair with Lord Gunnerslake and Jardin De Vienne likely to figure in many shortlists. Henrietta Knight's charge is quite exposed but low grade handicaps on quick ground seem to be the object and the trainer has been among the winners of late. Lord Gunnerslake bids for a hattrick and Tony McCoy is aboard. He had some ability for Ted Walsh many moons ago and the current trainer has been able to exploit a favourable mark. Jardin De Vienne is much higher rated over hurdles than fences. Blinkers and cheekpieces have not worked on him previously so the visor appears to be the last resort. Transvestite is probably better known for his exploits on the flat for John Hills. The Darling Boy was never sighted at Taunton on soft ground but can be given a chance on the basis of a fair effort on fast ground behind Black Jack Blues at Bangor last year. Plenty of chances here and Jose Bove has to be the pick.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 9th, challenging when fell 2 out, in a race won by The Kealshore Kid (10-13) at Southwell 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Transvestite (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along when not fluent 6th, hit next, went modest 5th after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 35l behind Canni Thinkaar (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
The Darling Boy 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 13, 45l behind Sanctuaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Jose Bove 8-1 (11-12) With leader, blundered 6 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out until weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Littleton Aldor (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Space Cowboy (11-3) by 9l, 7 ran.
Beauchamp Viking 14-1 (9-13) Took keen hold, pressed winner after 2nd, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd when hampered next, chased winner again 9th until approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 18l behind Randjo (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Dasher Reilly (USA) 33-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 9th, rallied under pressure approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 5th of 7, 24l behind Magnetic Pole (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f stks (5) gf in Nov.
Un Autre Espere 14-1 (10-0) In touch, pushed along 7th, beaten approaching 4 out, 11th of 16, 46l behind Red Jester (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May '09.
Masterpoint 50-1 (11-5) Always behind, 6th of 11, well behind Hever Road (10-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
