always behind, mistake 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
not jump well, chased winner to 2nd, in touch until weakened 10th, tailed off and pulled up 5 out
made all, clear when pecked 2 out, stayed on well
chased winner from 2nd, jumped right from 11th, every chance when blundered and nearly unseated rider from 2 out, not recover
behind, from 12th, pulled up before 5 out
in rear, effort 12th, soon weakened
always in rear, slow jump 8th, pulled up before next
Reflected Glory gets the call here ahead of Red Georgie and Eskimo Pie. Although his stable has yet to hit top form, Reflected Glory, who proved himself a decent novice hurdler last season, looks a likely type over fences and is taken to make a winning chasing bow. Dual bumper and hurdler winner Red Georgie is another to consider from a good yard, while the dual hurdle winner Eskimo Pie looks set to win his share over fences and is respected too. Kopeck looked very promising two years ago but has a huge absence to overcome, while Howrwenow has a similar profile but has also been absent, in his case for 548 days. With his stable among the winners, Windy Spirit, whose hurdling form rates in the low 100s, holds claims, while stablemate Rosses Point is certainly bred for this game but has shown little of late in a light career. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Reflected Glory.
Howrwenow (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Monet's Garden (11-8) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (C) gs in Apr '04.
Jolejoker 16-1 (11-3) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Ho Ho Hill (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn chs (E) gf in May.
Kopeck (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened and eased after 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Thisthatandtother (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Jan '03.
Red Georgie (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 4th of 6, 15l behind Trisons Star (11-4) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (B) sft in Apr.
Reflected Glory (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Held up in touch, hit 2nd, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, ridden when hit last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Loup Charter (11-11) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (C) gs in Feb.
Rosses Point (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Never a factor, 19th of 23, well behind The Railway Man (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders last, ridden and no impression flat, 4th of 9, 11l behind Mocharamor (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd in Aug.
Queen Excalibur 16-1 (10-1) Mid-division, behind from 5th, 13th of 16, 32l behind Sunnyland (10-11) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Eskimo Pie (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leader, ridden and lost place 8th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Mephisto (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb.
