took keen hold, chased leader from 2nd to 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, soon no impression, no chance when mistake 2 out
held up, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd before last, led on bit flat, hard held
pushed along after 4th, always in rear
held up, headway on outside after 6th, weakened before 2 out
held up, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, soon ridden, weakened 6th
mid-division, mistake 4th, struggling well before 2 out
in rear, soon niggled along, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden and lost place when stumbled 4th, well behind next, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, no chance when mistake last
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led after 6th, clear approaching 2 out, headed flat, no chance with winner
held up and behind, headway approaching 2 out, no impression between last two, eased towards finish
chased leaders until before 6th, pulled up before 2 out
mistake 5th, carried very wide on bend after 6th, always towards rear
led, headed after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd approaching 2 out until before last, one pace flat
A big field goes to post for this handciap hurdle and the shortlist contains Pigeon Island, Aldiruos and Arabian Moon with the vote given to Pigeon Island. The selection is a model of consistency and he seemed to win with a bit in hand last time at Hereford when beating Phone In. He has ground conditions to suit and he should run a big race. Aldiruos was clobbered by the handicapper after winning at Wetherby earlier in the season, but he did shape well here last time and he has to enter calculations. Arabian Moon won at Hereford last time, his third win at the track, but he was all-out to score and this does look tougher. Izzykeen is a course and distance winner and could prove best of the rest, but Pigeon Island arrives here in good form and he can land the prize.
All Things Equal (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Bagan (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in May.
Madiba 50-1 (11-9) In mid-division when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Pyleigh Lady (11-2) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Pigeon Island 10-11fav (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 6th, led last, easily, won at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf beating Phone In (10-6) by 3l, 14 ran.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden for headway 3 out, kept on to lead after last, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating So Brash (10-11) by a nk, 13 ran.
Cellarmaster (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Mid-divsion, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 24l behind Decisive (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Aldiruos (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 5th, hampered on bend approaching 6th and lost place, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Scots Grey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Izzykeen 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Hello It's Me (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Panzer (GER) 2-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, blundered 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, soon chasing winner, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Stagecoach Opal (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in May '06.
Hollywood 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leader 2 out, led approaching last, blundered last, wandered flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf in Aug beating Ballybeg Glen (10-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Tashkandi (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Behind, reminders 7th, weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Physical Force (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 15 ran.
The Saltire Tiger 25-1 (11-2) Led, pecked 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 15l behind Willie Pep (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led, reminders approaching 6th, headed 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 12, 39l behind Celticello (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jul.
Black Rainbow (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Beggars Cap (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Xila Fontenailles (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened 6th, 11th of 18, well behind Bob Mountain (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Dreams Jewel 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, 12l behind Arabian Moon (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Four County Lad (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Soon 3rd, 2nd 4 out, led after 2 out, bad mistake and headed last, no extra, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Little Tommy (10-11) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 gs in Aug.
No Greater Love (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 29l behind Apadi (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
