tracked leaders, raced keenly, chased winner approaching 5th, challenged next until something went amiss and pulled up after 7th
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat
not fluent, held up in rear, mistake last, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, hung left approaching next, hung left and weakened flat
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden 6th, soon carried head high and weakened, tailed off
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, jumped right 4th, chased winner briefly approaching 3 out where hit, not much room before last where blundered and weakened
took keen hold, pressed winner, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd before 5th, not fluent 7th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, switched right approaching last, one pace flat
made all, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, driven out
held up in rear, pushed along before 3 out, modest 6th 2 out, never nearer
CHOISIR BREEZE, Addison de Witt and Zepnove are the trio for the shortlist and the vote goes to the first mentioned. The selection hails from a yard in good form and he has shown respectable form so far in his two runs over hurdles. This is a little easier than the race he contested last time and as he remains unexposed he might be capable of opening his account. Addison de Witt looks the main danger as he was in good form prior to a below-par effort at Perth last month. Tony McCoy is an eyecatching jockey booking and this is not a strong race so it would not be a surprise to see him bounce back. Zepnove is a likeable filly and she has been in good form of late. She won a maiden hurdle in decent style last time and although this is tougher, she could be open to improvement. Cornish Castle was a fair sort on the flat and he was still in contention when he fell on his debut over hurdles at Sedgefield last month. He could be worth another chance, but the vote goes to Choisir Breeze.
Addison de Witt 3-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon every chance, weakened last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Tillietudlem (11-5) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Choisir Breeze (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 15l behind Forty Thirty (11-4) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Sep.
Cornish Castle (USA) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leader, hit 3rd, in 2nd when fell 5th, in a race won by Berriedale (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep, 11 ran.
Corredor Sun (USA) 20-1 (9-3) In touch, effort over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Blue Dynasty (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep '08 (flat).
Highland Storm 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 21l behind Marsool (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Lakeman (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort after 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 15, 19l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Noordhoek Kid 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, tracked leader over 3f out until over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 6l behind Clovis (9-12) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Aug (flat).
Winrob 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, outpaced from 6th, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Marsool (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Zepnove (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Chased clear leaders, ridden approaching 6th, soon outpaced, rallied approaching 3 out, led after 3 out, drifted on flat came clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep beating Troubletimestwo (10-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Phoenix Enforcer 10-1 (10-10) Tracked winner, a close 3rd when unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by True Britannia (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gf in Sep, 11 ran.