with leaders, mistake 4th, weakened 2 out
behind, headway approaching 3 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened 4 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on from last
held up, headway on outer over 4 out, led on bit 3 out, ridden flat, kept on well
close up and keen, led 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders until pushed along and lost place 3rd
led, headed 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
with leaders, reminder after 4th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, weakened after last
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened flat
Dashing Bach, Midnight Spirit and MILTON DES BIEFFES are on the shortlist here with the consistent Milton des Bieffes the selection. Twice runner-up in novice events, Dashing Bach has the able assistance of Richard Johnson, and the partnership has done well previously. After an unsuccessful attempt over fences last time, Dashing Bach looks a major threat back over hurdles. Midnight Spirit is still a maiden, and he would appreciate any drying out of the ground as his best efforts have come on a faster surface. He has hinted at a good effort recently and he can reach the frame. Milton des Bieffes races off a 16lb higher mark over fences, and reverts to the smaller obstacles having won three chases this year. It is over two years since his last hurdles win, but he is in good heart just now, and Milton des Bieffes can profit from an attractive mark.
Dashing Bach (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In rear, mistake 7th, no chance when blundered badly 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Quil Est Beau (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf, 14 ran.
Henri Prends Garde (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 7th, every chance when fell 3 out, in a race won by Pips Assertive Way (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs, 12 ran.
Integration 33-1 (11-2) Always behind, weakened from 5th, 7th of 12, well behind Coronado's Gold (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hdl (4) gd in Jun '08.
Turbo Shandy 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, not fluent 2 out, 8l 3rd and beaten when fell last, in a race won by Cootehill (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 7 ran.
Esteem 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened from next, 9th of 14, 28l behind Obara d'Avril (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Benefit Game (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, headed 5th, weakened approaching next, 10th of 13, well behind Factotum (11-5) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Owain James 8-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, raced keenly, hit 2nd, headway under pressure into mid division after 5th, no impression when hampered 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tooka (11-2) at Towcester 2m nov sell hdl (5) gd in May, 15 ran.
Musical Weld 40-1 (11-5) Led to last, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 36l behind Agglestone Rock (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 11-2 (10-4) Chased leaders, hit 9th, led 12th, ridden and headed 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 10, 4l behind Midnight Gold (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Freedom Flying 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 13, 12l behind Guerilla (9-12) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Waziri (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) (tt) last when mist 9; pu nxt, in a race won by Philomena (11-7) at Cherrybrook 3m ptp in Apr '08, 7 ran.
Midnight Spirit 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, raced keenly, hampered 3rd, headway after 4th, beaten after 3f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 16l behind Wade Farm Billy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Wisteria Lane (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) In touch, led 5th, hit 3 out, wandered and headed 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Acapulco Bay (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Panthers Run 9-2 (10-0) Chased leader to 7th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Red Jester (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr, 9 ran.