led, headed after 6th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off 3 out
in touch, led after 6th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, effort 4 out, soon weakened, tailed when pulled up before 2 out
went prominent 3rd, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led next, ridden and stayed on well from 2 out
behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd approaching last, no impression
in touch, led briefly before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
in touch, blundered 2nd, lost place 7th, tailed off 3 out
held up, some headway 3 out, kept on, no impression
mid-division, lost place and behind from halfway, tailed off 3 out
tracked leader, outpaced 4 out, no impression from next
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
Mith Hill is selected ahead of Totally Scottish and Minster Shadow, with Harry Flashman and Aldiruous completing the shortlist. The last named loves this course and, as he reserves his best for these tight turns, he cannot be ruled out. However, the gelding is also on a long losing run, so a cautious approach is advised where he is concerned. Harry Flashman had been progressive before putting in a below par effort at Aintree last month, so should not be dismissed too quickly. The six-year-old still has scope for improvement and has a solid each-way chance. Minster Shadow has a soft ground profile, so any rain will hardly be an inconvenience. He is at the right end of the weights to be effective and can go close if his jumping holds together. Totally Scottish has paid his way over the years and can still be a force in this sort of company. However, the fact he has been placed 31 times during his career tells its own story and his hallmarks are fitting for a supporting role. Especially if Mith Hill runs his usual race. The Ian Williams-trained gelding is holding his form well just now and, as this appears to be easier than a hatful of his recent assignments, this presents Mith Hill with a good chance to get back to winning ways.
In Dream's (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 7th, soon driven, led again after next, headed approaching 3 out, not fluent 2nd last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Mith Hill 7-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden next, one pace, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Raslan (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Harry Flashman 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, blundered 6th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Souffleur (10-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov, 15 ran.
Undeniable 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Canada Street (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 7 ran.
Albany (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 21, 22l behind Refinement (10-12) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr '06.
Surricate (FR) 5-6fav (10-9) Chased leader, left alone from 11th, won at Wetherby 3m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Nov beating Like A Lord (11-2) by a , 3 ran.
Reel Charmer 9-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, effort after 2 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 18l behind Poker De Sivola (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Mirage Dore (FR) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, every chance next, kept on approaching last, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Coe (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3rd, weakened from 6th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Dancer's Serenade (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Totally Scottish 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before last, ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Aldiruos (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 22l behind Rajam (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Minster Shadow 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner 5 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Akilak (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Calfraz 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Karathaena (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Karathaena (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
