held up well in rear, fell 6th
chased leaders, hampered 1st, lost place 5th, well behind from 7th, left poor 4th last
held up, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 7 lengths 2nd when left in lead last, driven out
jumped slowly several times, led, blundered 6th, soon headed, weakened 8th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, soon pulled up
left chasing leader 1st, led after 6th, headed 10th, regained lead 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and weakening when left 2nd last
chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden, 7 lengths clear when fell last
mistake and unseated rider 1st
held up, mistake 2nd, headway 4th, pressing leader after 6th, led 10th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, left poor 3rd last
in rear, losing touch when hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Another terrible race in which we will side with CATCH THE STARS to get the better of Mystic Storm and Alecia. The selection is the only horse in the race with any real worth while form. She has run in five chases to date and apart form unseating her rider the once she has run with credit on all completed races. She has earned herself a BHA rating of 110 and that sets the standard in this race and with Tony McCoy booked to ride she is bound to attract plenty of support. Mystic Storm disappointed at Fontwell last time out but he has shown form on previous outings. He finished at decent fourth of thirteen behind Equilibria and if reproducing that form he would not be too far away. Stable mate Alecia fell at the first in a claiming hurdle at Wetherby last time out which does not induce confidence but she did finish a good second of twelve at Hereford last autumn and if she can recapture her form back over fences she has each way claims. Catch The Stars will not represent much value in price but with a clear round he wins.
Just Silver 66-1 (10-9) In touch, mistake 4th, weakened before 4 out, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Netherley (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '07.
Marado (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Always in rear, mistake 1st, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Huguenot (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Mystic Storm 33-1 (11-0) Always struggling in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Tchico Polos (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chase (4) gf, 7 ran.
Paul Superstar (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Led until after 5th, left in lead next, headed 11th, soon weakened, tailed off and fell 14th, in a race won by Black Beauty (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd, 14 ran.
Pharaon de Touzaine (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, progress, weakened next, 7th of 12, 42l behind Prairie Spirit (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
That's An Honour (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Close up, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Friends Of Tina (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Alecia (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Close up when fell first, in a race won by Albany (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond clm hdl (4yo+) (5) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Catch The Stars (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Led until approaching 6th, remained prominent, weakened 4 out, 3rd and no chance with front pair when hit 2 out, 3rd of 4, 27l behind William Bonney (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chase (4) gd in Mar.
Corax (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Black Beauty (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd, 14 ran.