in touch, effort to chase winner after 3 out until aproaching last, no extra
tracked leaders and keen, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
held up, not fluent 4 out, headway next, weakened from 2 out
held up and keen, struggling from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up mid-division, behind from halfway
chased leaders to 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
chased leader, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, effort and under pressure from 3 out, no impression from next
led, headed 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
Howard Johnson's Tidal Bay can take this race at the expense of Allistathebarrista and Ballyvoge. The last-named makes his hurdles debut after winning his last two point-to-points and will be a live threat for the in-form stable of Nicky Richards, who along with Tony Dobbin enjoys a good deal of success at the course. However he may be seen to best effect when he goes over fences in the future, and perhaps more interesting may be Sue Smith's Allistathebarrista, a winner of his sole start so far. Quite what he achieved in winning a poor race at Uttoxeter in May is debatable, however he won nicely that day and will present a threat to the selection if stripping fit. The selection ran well above expectations in the big bumper at Aintree in April, and then cruised to victory on his sole hurdles run at Wetherby in similar conditions. Howard Johnson has his stable in good form and with the equally in-form Paddy Brennan on board, Tidal Bay can win what looks like an interesting opener.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped left 1st, jumped right 2nd, jumped left again 4th, ridden after 9th, led 3 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in May beating Ever So Slightly (11-0) by 12l, 8 ran.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led 4 out, clear from 3 out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Hopkins (10-12) by 9l, 18 ran.
Chapel Times (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mistakes, always in rear, tailed off from 8th, 8th of 13, well behind Supreme's Legacy (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Devils And Dust (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway over 6f out, every chance over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 15, 15l behind Giveusaclue (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Ever So Slightly (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4th, hit 5th, mistake next, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 15, 44l behind Nevertika (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Lee Gap Fair (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of an unraced mare.
Storymaker 3-1fav (11-7) A handy; led app 4 out-2 out; lft clr last, won at Tranwell 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr beating The Babe Magnet (12-0) by 10l, 14 ran.
Ballyvoge (IRE) (12-0) won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Ramsden Boy (12-0) by 3l, 4 ran.
