mid-division, effort 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching last
always behind
in touch, headway on outside after 4 out, led next, ridden and headed between last two, soon weakened
in touch, effort 3 out, weakened next
behind, hit 8th, lost touch 4 out, never dangerous
behind, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, no impression
in touch, headway 3 out, led between last 2, headed last, stayed on well flat, held up towards finish
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and effort next, soon weakened
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
behind, headway on outside approaching 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, nearest finish
tracked leader, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never trouble leaders
always behind
held up in rear, blundered 8th, headway 3 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well
Nonrunner
A market move for the reappearing Ursis would have to be of interest but lack of a recent run for Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has to be of some concern in a race as competitive as this and a better bet looks to be Accordello, who gets the vote ahead of Take A Mile. The selection clearly appreciated the return to hurdling when opening his account over a similar trip at Wetherby earlier this month and, off what looks a decent mark, the daughter of the high class Marello is taken to open her account in handicap company. Chivalry has been off the track for a long time and it would be asking a lot of him to win a race this competitive after such an absence, while Nikola gave little cause for optimism on his return. Ball O Malt is probably best watched on his first start since leaving Richard Fahey for Richard Whitaker and of more interest may be Take A Mile. Brendan's Powell's gelding is improving with each start and would have to be considered a major threat if doing so again. Accordello looks to be finally getting the hang of things now though and is preferred.
Trouble At Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 4th of 6, 23l behind Lough Derg (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl (B) gd in Dec '04.
Verasi 20-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after next, outpaced approaching 3 out, plugged on flat, no danger, 6th of 9, 21l behind Detroit City (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Euro American (GER) 25-1 (11-11) Always behind, struggling 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Victram (9-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Mar, 21 ran.
Chivalry 28-1 (11-12) Hit 1st, always behind, 15th of 18, 46l behind Definate Spectacle (10-1) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr '05.
Ursis (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 9th 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 14th of 24, 36l behind Wishwillow Lord (9-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr.
Dangerously Good 5-2fav (10-9) In touch, headway 7th, went 3rd and ridden 3 out, led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec '04 beating Glacial Sunset (10-5) by 8l, 11 ran.
Ball O Malt (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner from last, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Aleron (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Just Beth 66-1 (10-1) Behind, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Star De Mohaison (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (3) gs, 17 ran.
Ostfanni (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened soon after 2 out, 8th of 19, 13l behind Monolith (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Take A Mile (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, led last, idled briefly flat, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Mohawk Star (10-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Nikola (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, not fluent 8th, driven along 11th, soon lost touch, 10th of 12, well behind Don't Push It (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Silver Charmer 7-1 (10-0) Held up last, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Bold Fire (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd.
Vicario 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, chased winner after 7th, weakened 5 out, 6th of 7, 50l behind Ever Present (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Nobel (FR) 11-1 (10-3) In touch, hit 8th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 7l behind Crathorne (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Aldiruos (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up rear, ridden 4 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 16l behind Absolut Power (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Accordello (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Held up on outer, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd beating Stolen Moments (11-2) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Corlande (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, never a factor, 8th of 12, well behind Heltornic (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (3) gs in Oct.
