tracked leaders, badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out, drew clear flat, eased towards finish
made most until headed 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner
always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
close up, jumped left 4 out, lost place approaching next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
held up in mid-division on inner, headway approaching 6th, went 3rd 3 out, no extra flat
prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, never a factor
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
held up in touch, went 4th approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, jumped badly left 2nd, lost place on stable bend over 8f out, pulled up before 6th
tracked leaders, stumbled 2nd, soon pushed along and lost place, soon pulled up
TARA ROYAL could be the option in this contest with McMurrough and Knockaveen on the shortlist. The gelding looks to have come here for the likely going and while a rise in trip might seem a step into the unknown, on breeding, it should realistically represent few issues. McMurrough has been tried in listed company in the past. On official figures, he has a very real chance although his form of late has not exactly shown improvement. Knockaveen will be in receipt of the sex allowance. She has performed well in bumpers without necessarily getting her head infront. Echoes Of Dawn has the physical size of a chaser and will be a more backable betting proposition once switched to the larger obstacles. George Moore has his horses in good order so don't rule out Grand Zouki in this affair. A second at Musselburgh represented a step back in the right direction. Nicky Richards has a couple of runners in this event so the market has to be watched for clues. Point West, who was an expensive purchase at the sales, could be the pick of the pair if jockey bookings are to recommend their chances. Coastley is a winning hunter chaser and hailing from unfashionable connections, may start a couple of points bigger than the form book allows. Irish point winner, Deer Fin appears best of the rest. Tara Royal gets the vote.
McMurrough (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Prominent, weakened last, 6th of 14, 20l behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Tara Royal 15-8 (11-8) Led until approaching 2nd, with leader until led again before 4th, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 8l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Coastley (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Jumped left 2nd, led to 5th, tracked leader, led again 5 out, jumped left from 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance when mistake last, edged left flat, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hts chs (5) gd in May beating Athoss (11-5) by nk, 5 ran.
Deer Fin (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, brief effort 7th, soon weakened, 10th of 15, well behind The Snail (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun '08.
Double Gem (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Prominent to 10th, outpaced 4 out, 6th of 8, 40l behind Flemross (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Echoes of Dawn (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, blundered 7th, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Edge Of Town (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, soon pushed along and lost place, 9th of 16, 26l behind Tail Of The Bank (10-13) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Grand Zouki (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, headway 3 out, stayed on well to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Last Of The Bunch (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gd in Feb.
Point West (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 6f out, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Sir Bere (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Short Straw (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on outer, mistake 4th, soon reminders, weakened approaching 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Hidden Keel (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Sundown Trail (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, towards rear, not always fluent, last and struggling after 5th, 9th of 13, 45l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Timewiltel Then Again gelding out of Apollo's Daughter.
Knockaveen (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Pickworth (10-10) at Catterick 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat Race (5-6yo) (6) gs in Feb.
Samaret 33-1 (9-11) Always in rear, tailed off over 3f out, last of 10, well behind Witherspoon (10-13) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar '09.
Walguard (FR) 250-1 (11-2) In touch, nearly took wrong course after 6th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Diavoleria (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb, 15 ran.
