led to 3rd, tailed off from 9th, pulled up before 10th
with leader, led 12th, headed 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last
held up and keen, not fluent 6th, pushed along approaching 8th, weakening when fell 11th
held up, led 4 out, clear 2 out, driven out
held up in rear, hit 11th, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, led to 3rd, headed 12th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd after last, kept on
MARLEYBOW has always struck as the sort to make an impact over fences and connections may have found a weak opening; La Estrella and Hoopy join Benny The Piler on the shortlist. A son of Presenting, this well-related individual won his first run over hurdles last season before being pitched into Grade Two company at both Cheltenham and Haydock. Unsurprisingly unable to feature, he has been off the track since that last run in February but is sure to have been well-schooled in anticipation of this chase debut. Unlikely to be a great price, if the market speaks in his favour then a winner is still a winner. Hoopy is officially rated 120, 5lbs higher than when beaten a quarter of a length by South Bronx at Perth. That was a good effort in defeat and the combination of a tongue-tie and AP McCoy on board may eek out yet more improvement although the ground is an unknown if it stays quick. Benny The Piler is unexposed; he showed enough as a Novice to make him of some interest, however his form hints at a preference for a softer surface. Ballyhale's recent runs over hurdles have not been laced with glory, so of more interest could be La Estrella. Don Cantillon's gelding has only had two starts over fences but whilst he has shown promise, ultimately it has been his jumping that has let him down. Drumboy completes the field and is one to watch in the betting, however it is Marleybow who gets the nod.
Ballyhale (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Soon prominent, lost place and mistake 7th, behind after, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Redemption (11-2) at Southwell 3m 2f clm hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Benny The Piler (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked winner, challenged 10th to 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 2nd of 5, 19l behind Supply And Fix (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct '07.
Drumboy (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Mid-division best, weakened from 5 out, 18th of 21, well behind Asian Royale (10-8) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-109 hvy in Mar.
Hoopy (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, outpaced 10th, headway 4 out, ridden and stayed on well to chase winner flat, just failed, 2nd of 9, nk behind South Bronx (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Sept.
La Estrella (USA) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, mistake 4th, headway approaching 13th, 2nd after 4 out, blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Quattrocento (10-7) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Marleybow (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) In touch, hit 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tazbar (11-11) at Haydock 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
