mid-division, effort 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, switched left and headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, no chance approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden and struggling after 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear last, extended advantage flat, easily
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 4th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, reminder after 4th, pushed along before next, soon lost place
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, lost momentum and switched left between last 2, went left last, one pace
in touch, raced keenly, chased winner when mistake 2 out, no impression when went left and not fluent last
held up in rear, struggling after 5th, last before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, raced keenly, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
held up, always towrads rear
The form shown by DR LIVINGSTONE when third last time just about sets the standard, so he's selected from potential improvers Dan Breen and Tanto Faz. Charlie Egerton's runner was decent on the flat and showed that he had a future over obstacles when scoring at Leicester on his first try. The form of that victory has worked out well and he bettered it when third to the smart Menorah last time. Today's trip and ground conditions are absolutely ideal and in our view he sets the standard. The handicapper disagrees with that statement though as Tanto Faz has a rating of 125, some 4lbs higher than our pick's. That alone entitles the Quinn runner to respect, and as he's finished second on both hurdles starts he carries no penalty. The gelding was very keen last time though and we don't think he'll get away with similar antics in this company, so a bigger danger to our selection might be Dan Breen. David Pipe's charge did well to win two bumpers and whilst neither represented the most competitive of contests it takes a decent horse to win twice in that sphere, so as this switch to obstacles will suit he is afforded due respect. Hardly a Saturday goes by without Nicky Henderson saddling a winner and in Stratigic Gale he has a live chance of doing so once more. The six-year-old is probably one of the stables lesser lights but the form of his last time out bumper second looks good, with the winner highly rated, so if he draws improvement from this switch to hurdling he'll run well. Charlie Tipple is rated second best of the four who are required to shoulder penalties, with the manner of his comfortable hurdling debut success fresh in the memory. Tim Easterby's gelding was a good handicapper on the level and copes with a variety of ground so providing he's none the worse for a fall last time he's yet another with claims. Farleigh House has plenty to do with our selection on their meeting last time, so of more interest is Iolith whose yard is going better now, and his hurdling debut was in a decent contest. Bivouac was well held when bidding to defy a penalty last time and this looks much better, whilst Hoback Junction is thrown in at the deep end on his hurdling bow. This is a fiercely competitive contest but Dr Livingston has solid claims on both his efforts so gets the vote.
Charlie Tipple 25-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked winner until before 5th where not fluent, relegated to last and beaten before 3 out, bad mistake 2 out and fell a few strides after, in a race won by Peddlers Cross (11-8) at Haydock 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan, 4 ran.
Dr Livingstone (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Soon in rear, slow 2nd, not fluent 3 out, some late headway, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Menorah (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Avanos (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, hit 3rd, headway 4th, chased leaders from 3 out, no extra between last 2, 7th of 16, 16l behind King In Waiting (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Calusa Spirit 100-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, weakened 3 out, 14th of 15, 49l behind Rollwiththepunches (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Dan Breen (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Made all, ridden and under pressure 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Sep beating Island Oscar (11-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Duke of Burgundy (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 2f out, hard ridden and ran on inside final furlong to lead last stride, won at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gf in Apr '08 beating Sir Mulberry Hawk (10-9) by hd, 13 ran.
Gilbarry (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, never on terms, 12th of 16, well behind Dear Sam (11-11) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Hoback Junction (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway over 9f out, challenged over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Anquetta (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (4) std in Jan.
Iolith (GER) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, weakening when badly hampered 2 out, 6th of 10, 36l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Marwan (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Mid- division, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
Stratigic Gale (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, caught close home, 2nd of 17, shd behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Tanto Faz (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Raced keenly, in touch, headway 3 out, challenged going well between last 2, kept on and every chance, no extra near finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Tocca Ferro (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Tenjack King 100-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along 8f out, soon in rear, behind 5f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Clear Reef (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec (flat).
Triumphus 40-1 (11-0) In touch, blundered 4th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 13, well behind Slip (10-9) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Flora's Pride 4-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, behind final 3f, last of 10, 46l behind Chilli Rose (10-6) at Southwell 2m N H flat (5) gd in Mar.
Bivouac (UAE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 10, 6l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Farleigh House (USA) 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place before 3 out, last of 8, well behind Menorah (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Superius (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Not fluent, in rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
