towards rear, headway and chased leader 4th, led approaching 6th to after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened
mid-division, jumped left 2nd, ridden and weakened after 7th
in touch, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, led soon after, quickened clear last, easily
prominent, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
chased leader, led briefly approaching 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after, pecked last, kept on one pace flat
prominent, headway and every chance approaching 2 out, one pace after
led to 6th, prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, outpaced approaching last, rallied, kept on to go 2nd flat
Mutual Respect can take this concluding novices' contest for Paul Nicholls, with Hills Of Aran respected and both Orfeo Conti and Pimbury noted. Nicholls won this contest with Denman just two years ago and if the selection is half as good as him then he would probably still be good enough here. A soft ground Chepstow bumper winner last December, he already has experience at this track and also acts on good ground and although he was thrashed in a hot bumper at Newbury in February he is likely to be well tuned up for this hurdling debut and can make it a winning one. Hills Of Aran went well for a long way in a decent Cheltenham contest last week but has had plenty of chances and been highly tried, and so is vulnerable to a newcomer or something progressive and the selection fits that bill. Orfeo Conti makes his British debut and is interesting after a chase success in France last year but has fitness to prove from a yard who haven't really got going yet so looks best watched. Pimbury may now be better stepped up in trip but would probably prefer a bit of juice in the ground, and Mutual Respect can score.
Fountain Fortune 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Carlitos (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Hatton Rock (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, hampered 5th, behind from 8th, 7th of 16, well behind The Sliotar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Heynewboy 5-1 (10-9) Prominent, joined leader 7f out, led 6f out to over 4f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong, 4th of 11, 11l behind Bajan Sunshine (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Aug '06.
Hills Of Aran 5-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, hit 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 15l behind Middleton Dene (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs.
Is He A Star Regal Embers gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Superior Finish.
Kofi 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 6th, weakened after next, 10th of 17, 48l behind Otantique (11-5) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Mister Wiseman 66-1 (10-5) Always behind, 9th of 15, 35l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Mutual Respect (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, track leaders 6f out, effort over 3f out, soon hung left and weakened, 5th of 10, 22l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Orfeo Conti (FR) (10-10) 5th of 13, 13l behind Oriak Des Ormeaux (10-3) at Nantes 2m 1f hdl gs in Oct '06.
Pimbury (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on one pace after, 5th of 14, 21l behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
