led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, hard pressed from next, all out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden & no extra
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, faded from next
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, brief effort next, disputing 5th when fell last
mid-division, headway to chase winner 2 out, every chance last, held towards finish
in touch, weakened after 3 out
Paul Nicholls saddled Deireadh Re to win this last year but his Rangitoto has been a big disappointment so far this season and American Trilogy may not be the force of old. An appearance in one of these qualifiers earns a run in the final at Cheltenham in April which explains why David Pipe has seven due to face the starter here. The Package is rated 13lb higher over fences and won over the larger obstacles here on his reappearance before finishing fourth in the Hennessy but the less-exposed WEEKEND MILLIONAIR may well prove the pick of his stable's bumper entry with Tom Bellamy taking off 7lb and he gets the nod in this. Ardlui didn't appear to stay 2m3f at Newbury last time and Shoreacres is just one of several front-runners who will make this a real test of stamina. Holywell, second in a Grade 3 at Haydock last time, has been knocking on the door and is also worth a second look.
Shoreacres (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) With leader, led before 5th, clear before 4 out, jumped right last 2 fences, kept on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jun beating Herons Well (11-1) by 6l, 10 ran.
American Trilogy (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hampered 5th, headway approaching 3 out, never on terms, no impression last, 6th of 17, 14l behind Fair Along (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Close House 5-1 (11-5) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, ridden last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 2nd of 18, 8l behind Double Ross (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Lamps 11-4fav (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Grafite (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy.
Weekend Millionair (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up, steady headway from 7th, one pace last, 5th of 11, 20l behind Bear's Affair (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Ardlui (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) With leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind At Fishers Cross (10-10) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft.
The Pier (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, 9th of 10, 27l behind Lough Ferrib (10-12) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Rangitoto (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Mid-division, dropped towards rear after 5th, mistake next, headway 4 out, challenged next, kept on and every chance until no extra approaching last, soon weaakened, 8th of 13, 26l behind Fred The Shred (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Nampour (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place and ridden after 3 out, soon behind, 11th of 17, 40l behind Dark Lover (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
First Fandango 8-11fav (10-11) Not fluent chased leader, left in lead 12th, made rest, ridden clear 2 out, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) gs in Nov beating Brady (11-2) by 12l, 5 ran.
Palace Jester 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear of mid-division on inside, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, 16th of 21, well behind Cape Tribulation (11-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Holywell (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, every chance 2 out until after last, kept on, 2nd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Trustan Times (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Connectivity (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Led, jumped slowly early, headed 4th, led 6th, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr '11 beating China Gold (11-4) by 18l, 8 ran.
The Package 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 19, 14l behind Bobs Worth (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Water Garden (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off next, 8th of 9, well behind Sansili (10-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Topolski (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Behind, outpaced after 4 out, no impression when mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by At Fishers Cross (10-10) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft, 10 ran.
Captain Sunshine 8-1 (11-6) Led in start, behind, headway into mid-division 4th, effort on inside 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last, 7th of 18, 24l behind Double Ross (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Yesyoucan (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out, blundered last, 8th of 10, 42l behind Bakbenscher (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Goulanes (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Held up, steady headway 7th, chased leaders 4 out, driven 2 out, challenged between horses last, led run-in, driven out and on top in closing stages, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov beating Cross Kennon (11-2) by nk, 13 ran.
Paint The Clouds 13-8fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 2 out, edged right flat, driven out, dismounted after finish, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct '11 beating Qulinton (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Dolatulo (FR) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed before next, weakening when mistake last, 6th of 12, 17l behind Petit Robin (11-5) at Sandown 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft.
