tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, quickened to lead towards far side approaching last, hung left, stayed on well to go clear flat
took keen hold, in touch, hit 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off
in touch, effort to chase leaders 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, beaten when hit last
raced keenly, mistake 1st, held up behind, headway into mid-division 4 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, effort to lead after 4 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat
always towards rear, tailed off 4 out
mid-division, hit 4th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
led, jumped right 4th, driven and headed after 4 out, soon outpaced, no chance with leading pair from 2 out
tracked leader, effort and every chance 3 out to next, soon weakened
raced keenly, mid-division, lost place when mistake 2nd, soon behind, tailed off 4 out
always in last trio, tailed off 4 out
mid-division, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, never on terms
mid-division, driven 3rd, behind from 4th, tailed off
PRIDE IN BATTLE, for last-year's winning trainer, is narrowly preferred in this competitive heat. Alan King's gelding was unable to make a real impression in three bumpers last season however he is reported to work well at home and described as a horse who 'lengthens rather than quickens' he should be at home over this trip. Teshali is an interesting contender; he was a three-time winner in France for the Aga Khan and has been gelded since he came across to Ditcheat. Arthurian Legend is an imposing individual who ran well here in a bumper; this trip should be ideal. Gurtacrue was unlucky to bump into a smart horse of Mr Henderson's at Worcester and he is likely to win a hurdle race before going novice chasing in the future. In The Sand represents strong connections, and along with Great Hero and Mr Chow he looks the best of the rest.
Arthurian Legend 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, good headway on outside to track leader 3f out, led over 2f out, soon hung left, no impression on winner when lost 2nd final furlong, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Bottman (11-1) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Ask The Oracle 16-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division and keen, headway approaching 3 out, in 5th and one pace when blundered 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 13, 28l behind Dunraven Storm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Bally Legend 25-1 (10-7) With leader, hit 1st, hit 4th, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 13, 25l behind Dunraven Storm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Great Hero 11-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, not much room 8f out, headway 6f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 15, 32l behind Rudanphast (11-8) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Aug.
Gurtacrue (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) With leader, not fluent 5th, every chance when not fluent last, hung left and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Owen Glendower (10-12) at Worcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Oct.
In The Sand (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Hannigan's Lodger.
Jigsaw Financial (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 24l behind Natureofthebeast (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Oct.
Mr Chow (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway from over 3f out, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Poppy Come Running (10-11) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Pride In Battle (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden and briefly chased leader 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Fontano (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Redbridge Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in last, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 22l behind Youralltalk (10-7) at Ffos Las 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in Oct.
Teshali (IRE) (9-8) won at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 2f app awt sft in Nov '09 beating Akarlina (9-1) by 8l, 13 ran (flat).
Thomas Bell (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Panache (10-7) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gf in Sep.
Valid Point (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, not fluent 2nd, went 5th after last, no impression, 5th of 14, 23l behind Outside The Box (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Another Kate (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, no impression after, 7th of 18, 19l behind Hurricane Milly (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m mrs N H flat (5) sft in Feb.
Belvidera 20-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Master Fiddle (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Be Kind 22-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 11, 30l behind Vertueux (9-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul (flat).
