mid-division, ridden 6th, behind next and pulled up soon after
soon tracking leaders and keen, pecked 1st, led briefly 4th, weakened approaching 7th, soon tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, ridden and some headway after 7th, weakened approaching 4 out
keen tracking leaders, weakened approaching 7th, soon well behind
detached when jumped slowly 2nd, never dangerous
in touch, mistake 5th and lost place, weakened 7th
keen and soon in touch, weakened after 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out
keen in touch, headway after 4th, edged right on bend soon after, mistake 7th, ridden 4 out to chase leading pair in vain
held up, headway on inside after 4th, led 4 out, clear and in command when jumped last, pushed out
towards rear, took closer order after 4th, ridden 6th, behind from next
keen, headway 7th to join leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pecked 3rd, slightly hampered on bend after 4th, ridden 4 out to chase leaders, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
led, headed briefly 4th, ridden when headed 4 out, held by winner
held up, headway to join leaders after 7th, weakened 4 out
Khumbu is the selection to land this contest with Phenix Jack and Cooldine Boy nominated to fill the placings. The selection has always shaped as one who needed a trip and connections duely stepped him up last time where he performed adequately. The form does not read badly either with two progressive sorts in front of him. It is unlikely anything of their quality contests this event. Phenix Jack is not one of the leading novices at Ditcheat but showed no ill-effects for a fall at Wincanton on his penultimate start. He appears a chasing type but the more galloping track will be more to his liking. Cooldine Boy is an Irish point-to-point winner who to-date has not progressed. He beat leading Irish stayer Kazal between the flags. His best performance in the UK was argueably at Aintree in what was a decent maiden hurdle and on the best ground he has raced on since graduating from the point-to-point sphere. Whether today's quicker surface can bring about improvement remains to be seen. Pterodactyl was noticably weak in the market first time out this season, finishing second behind a shock 50/1 winner. This is a big step up in trip though for a horse that was only contesting 10f contests three months ago. There was considerable promise though in that hurdling debut. Khumbu is the selection toland this on the back of that third placing at Kempton.
Calusa Spirit 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, lost touch 6f out, 10th of 13, 35l behind Dee Ee Williams (10-11) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft.
Chan Bahlum (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, 24l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Cooldine Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 16, 47l behind Pettifour (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Danesbrook New Reputation gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Trying Again and winning hurdler/bumper New Wood.
Elton Classic Cliche gelding out of 1m-1m4f winner Happy Go Lucky.
Eva Soneva So Fast (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Close up, ridden, every chance from 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct beating Torrens (8-10) by a nk, 8 ran (Flat).
Gulf (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Missed break, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 23l behind Shirocco (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in May '06 (Flat).
Khumbu 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hit 4th, headway after 6th, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Rodrigo Gonzales (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Krackatara 17-2 (11-4) Held up, keen, headway 7th, kept on one pace from 3 out, 5th of 13, 6l behind Black Ven (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Nabouko (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 8th, 7th of 16, 29l behind Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Phenix Jack (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Held up, mistake 5th, headway leaders 7th, weakening when hung right last, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Pterodactyl (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, mistake and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Tank Top 100-1 (10-13) Tracked winner, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Or Bleu (11-4) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Twilight Eagle (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Mists in last; hdwy 3 out; stayed on flat, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Cabrillo (11-7) at Cottenham 2m 4f ptp frm in Mar.
Go Go 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 13, well behind Dancing Dasi (10-11) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
My Friend Sandy 33-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, hit 1st, headway 7th, struggling after next, 10th of 18, 37l behind Ambrosinni (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
