tracked leader, jumped right and lost place 4th, reminders 6th, jumped slowly 12th, soon well behind
held up, mistake 9th and 10th, ridden to lead after 3 out, stayed on, all out
led, mistake and headed 7th, stayed with leader, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
held up, 2nd when bumped 4th, led 7th, mistake 14th, ridden and headed after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
This looks a tight race on paper, indeed there's only 3lb between the first four of these five runners. The TEAMtalk selection, however, goes to Mini Sensation. This nine-year-old won over course and distance last November, beating Hussard Collonges by eight lengths; that rival is fancied to win this weekend's Hennessy Gold Cup. Mini Sensation showed bags of stamina when finishing runner-up in the Midlands Grand National on his last start in March. He has won his seasonal debuts for the past two years, and won't mind the heavy going. Somemanforoneman has dropped 10lb in the ratings after being pulled up on his season bow earlier this month in the Intervet Trophy at Cheltenham. Although he hasn't won since November 2000, during his novice chasing campaign, he has ran into the places on a few occasions, most recently finishing second to Flat Top in a Class C three-mile handicap at Newbury in March. He also goes well in the mud, and will give our selection a real run for his money. Roberty Bob won three consecutive chases between March and May, including a Class B three-mile two-furlong event at Uttoxeter on heavy ground. He clearly need the run last time out at Sandown, where he finished a distant fourth to Mazileo. Although he should do better for the run, the first-time blinkers are a cause for concern. Bramblehill Duke lost his way last season after winning two races in January 2001. He finished a close third to Moor Lane at Newbury in January, then a closer second to Galapiat Du Mesnil at Chepstow in early March. However, he finished a distant 10th in the William Hill National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, his stamina giving way in the second circuit. If he can pull together some good jumps and basic flat speed he would have a chance, as he also has won on heavy ground. The bottom-weight, Echo's Of Dawn, will be the outsider. This 10-year-old won this race last year on soft ground, leading four fences from home and staying on well. He carries 7lb more than that success after finishing a close second to Billingsgate in a tough Class B handicap at Sandown in February. He went well fresh last season, but it will be a much taller order for him with this competition.
