tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 4 out, ridden and jumped right 3 out, all out when headed close home
disputed lead, chased leader from 4th, weakened 5 out, very tired when mistake 4 out
made most and keen, jumped right 5th and 6th, clear approaching 7th, headed 4 out, weakening when mistake next
mid-division, weakened 9th, pulled up after 11th
towards rear, tailed off from 7th, pulled up after 11th
held up rear, headway when mistake on inside 4 out, stayed on from next, 4 lengths down approaching last, led close home
held up rear, headway after 11th, ridden 3 out, every chance last, soon one pace and switched left close home
tracked leaders, jumped right 5th, weakened when mistake 7th, soon behind and pulled up before 11th
Unleash did not look to be the most proficient of jumpers at Newton Abbot last time and the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding may be best watched with preference for Bold Bishop, who gets the vote ahead of Whispered Secret. The last mentioned was useful over hurdles and Martin Pipe's gelding made an encouraging start to his chasing career when beaten two lengths by Tom George's Dawton at Newton Abbot last month. His jumping looked to be pretty solid that day so the six-year-old should provide a decent test for Bold Bishop. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding made a promising first appearance over fences at Newcastle in December prior to his only other start, owing to problems with the stable last term, in the Imperial Cup. Earlier hurdles form makes the eight-year-old the pick of these on hurdling ability and, in the hope that he is fit enough, the son of Religiously gets the vote. Richard Lee's The Glen ran well enough at Market Rasen last time to suggest that there should be races to be won with him, while Izzykeen has been performing consistently well over hurdles of late and has to be respected on his chasing debut. Of more interest though is Unleash, who was not far behind Bold Bishop on the pick of his hurdles form but his jumping was of concern on his most recent start and Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is preferred.
Bold Bishop (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always rear, tailed off 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Medison (10-1) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Izzykeen 4-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to chase winner after 3 out until next, ridden and hung left approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Rift Valley (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Jul.
Karakum 33-1 (11-3) Held up when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Nazimabad (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Jul, 13 ran.
Rash Moment (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 9th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Explosive Fox (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Tallison 100-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until weakened 4th, 15th of 17, well behind Decisive (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Jul.
The Glen 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, not quicken from last, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Touch Closer (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf in Jul.
Unleash (USA) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, took closer order 8th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Fontanesi (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (D) gf in Jul.
Whispered Secret (GER) 5-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, chased leaders after 6th, challenged 3 out, every chance when hampered last, not recover, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Dawton (11-0) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (E) gf in Jul.
