held up, mistake 4th, steady headway 4 out, led 2 out, headed after last and edging left under pressure
tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 6th, headed 2 out, one pace
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up rear, stayed on from 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake when weakening 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up, headway 4 out, kept on to lead after last, game
held up, never dangerous
held up, headway 8th, lost place on long run to 4 out
It is tough to choose between OTTO DES PICTONS and Sullumo but the narrow preference is for the former. Paul Nicholls has two in this race and his other runner Michael Muck would appear to be the stable second-string. The selection has not been seen out since April but he did score impressively that day at Ayr and although he looks as though his future will lie over the bigger obstacles, he should still be up to taking this. Michael Muck has also got winning form over hurdles but his form towards the end of last season over the chase fences was pretty disappointing and he has a bit to prove at present. Charlie Mann has got his string in great form at present so Sullumo has to enter calculations. He showed tremendous promise last season and he remains unexposed so he can go well. Potts of Magic is a model of consistency but he doesn't win very often and we will stick with Otto Des Pictons as the selection.
Sullumo (GER) 5-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, hit 7th, closed soon after, challenged 3 out, hit last, soon led, ridden out, won at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating West End Rocker (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Soon pressing leader, not fluent 7th, still challenging 2 out, hung left and beaten approaching last, 5th of 16, 10l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Michael Muck 9-1 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, blundered 4th, hit 12th, ridden after 14th, weakened 17th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Beat The Boys (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Apr.
Otto des Pictons (FR) 11-8fav (11-3) Chased leaders, led approaching 6th, drew clear from 2 out, easily, won at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr '07 beating Ice Tea (11-12) by 17l, 4 ran.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake next, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 16, 11l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Knighton Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, challenged 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Iwillrememberyou (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Openide 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, blundered next, behind when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Parsons Legacy (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Brenin Cwmtudu 3-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, beaten approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 9l behind John Fenton (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Potts of Magic 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 15th, ridden 4 out, kept on to chase winner close home, 2nd of 11, 2l behind De Soto (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Le Forezien (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Held up in close 4th, chased leading pair 8th, blundered and fell at the 9th in race won by Earcomesannie (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct, 6 ran.
To Arms 20-1 (9-7) Held up, good headway on bit after 8th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, staying on in close 2nd when mistake last, not recover, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Hills Of Aran (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Learning The Blues (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 8th, weakened and tailed off from 11th, 6th of 9, well behind Dream Garden (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Oct.
