tracked leaders, ridden over 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra
held up, weakened approaching 8th, soon pulled up
held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, not fluent last, one pace
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed over 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, led approaching 2 out, clear going to last
held up, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up, reminders 7th, struggling from next
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, pushed along 4th, reminders after 4 out, mistake next, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, kept on from 2 out
MEATH ALL STAR should go close to opening his account over obstacles and is preferred to Thehillofuisneach and Vforvictory. Meath All Star formed part of Willie Mullins' raiding team for the Cheltenham bumper following a debut win at Cork and wasn't disgraced in midfield. He was well backed on his second start over obstacles at Musselburgh but lacked the pace of the winner and had to settle for minor honours but the step up in trip and more galloping track are expected to see him in a better light. Thehillofuisneach attracted strong support ahead of both starts in Irish points and the form of both starts looks rock solid whilst the winner of his debut race also plies his trade for Paul Nicholls now. He travelled well for a long way at this track on his hurdling bow over three miles and should be better for the experience. Vforvictory took a while to get the hang of things between the flags but reeled off a hat-trick around this time last year and looks to be one of the more interesting contenders. Babysitter has shown a reasonable level of form but has been found another tough race. He could feature as may Bescot Springs and Three Guesses who have both shown useful form but Meath All Star may have the edge.
Babysitter (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 12, 9l behind Quentin Collonges (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, badly hampered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Blow Hole (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, hit 4th, weakened next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Whenever (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Call Me Mulligan (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, with leader, led again before 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 39l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Fahrisee (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Cl up, 4th 6out, cl 3rd 4out until cl en 3rd but btn appr last, wknd, 3rd of 10, 20l behind King Among Queens (12-0) at Lismore 3m ire ptp in Mar '08.
Horsford (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Sonny Mullen (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Meath All Star (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up on touch, tracked leaders, 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Oxiana (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) In touch, ridden and outpaced 4f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, never troubled leaders, 4th of 15, 11l behind Saintly Lady (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Three Guesses (IRE) 4-11fav (11-11) Disputed lead, definite advantage over 7f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Le Beau Bai (10-8) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb '07.
Tommy Atkins (IRE) Blueprint gelding out of Bit Of The Past.
Vforvictory (GER) 5-4 (12-0) Ww rr, prog to 4th at 4th, 3rd at 7th, ld at last, drew away on flat, won at Tinahely 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Borehovel Banker (12-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Prescelli (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, kept on from 2 out, 5th of 17, 28l behind Dolly Penrose (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Elusive Muse 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 35l behind Twist Again (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug (flat).
Thehillofuisneach (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, headway going well approaching 3 out, 2nd and every chance 2 out, soon hung left under pressure and weakened before last, 4th of 7, 14l behind Watamu Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
