held up in touch, under pressure before 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, headway approaching 4 out, kept on same pace before 2nd last
held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon beaten
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, soon hard ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 2nd, soon headed, lead again 4 out, stayed on strongly
held up, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway halfway, some late headway, never dangerous
always behind
tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, never able to challenge
led, pulled hard, headed after 2nd, mistake 4 out, gradually weakened, pulled up before last
pulled hard in touch, led after 2nd, mistake 4 out, soon headed and weakened
MADAME MADO is preferred to Cut The Lugsreilly with Agapanthus one to note in the market. Nicky Henderson's good record at this track is no secret and Madame Mado is expected to step up considerably on the form of her debut at Doncaster. She was beaten a long way but the runner-up is second favourite for the Supreme Novices' and she faces nothing of that quality here whilst her bumper form proves that she has the ability to make her mark at this level. Cut The Lugsreilly should fare better over obstacles than he did in bumpers and has to be feared given his connections but his connections will also ensure that he is sent off at a shorter price than his form merits. Agapanthus hails from a shrewd yard and any market support should be taken seriously whilst No Rules ran well over hurdles last time. Silver Accord and Kensington Oval are two that possess each-way claims but ready preference is for Madame Mado.
Agapanthus (GER) 20-1 (8-13) In touch, lost place halfway, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 13, 10l behind I'm In The Pink (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov (flat).
Cut The Lugsreilly 4-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4f out, effort and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong, 5th of 17, 8l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Earl Of Thomond (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind Kerada (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Firm Order (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway to chase leaders and hit 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 18, 24l behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Kensington Oval 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 11l behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
No Rules 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Pipe Banner (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Phare Isle (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 26l behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Silver Accord (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 16, 9l behind Black Apache (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Spate River 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Aega 25-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 14l behind Deejan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m N H flat (4) sft in Dec.
Annie The Doc 9-1 (9-3) Prominent, 3rd from 4f out, no extra straight, 13th of 15, 37l behind Shinkansen (8-13) at Roscommon 1m 4f app hcp gs in Sep '08 (flat).
Madame Mado (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Held up, in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from last, 4th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Against The Rules 100-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 22l behind Sunshine Always (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Bromhead (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 15, 28l behind Alazan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
