always behind and never on terms with leaders
prominent, smooth headway to lead 4 out, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat
led, mistake 3rd and headed, mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 6th
chased leader, ridden and outpaced 6th, stayed on one pace from 4 out
prominent, chased leader 3rd, joined leader 6th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 8th, challenged 4 out, chased leader 3 out, not quicken from 2 out
pulled early and held up last, headway and led 3rd, mistake 6th, headed 4 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway 9th, challenged after 2 out, joined leader last, led soon after, driven out flat
Flying Spirit is tentatively selected ahead of Kyper Disco and Dad's Elect in a race to watch rather than punt heavily upon. Flying Spirit is a far from straight forward individual at the best of times but the sight of the big fences might just invigorate him into cooperating with his jockey on this occasion. Capable on any surface, his attitude to the discipline looks the only questionable imponderable. Kyper Disco promised much in his bumper runs but his hurdling career was an unmitigated disaster. His trainer's form has been difficult to get a handle on during the last twelve months so the market may serve as the best guide. Dad's Elect has the edge of experience over chase fences. He hasn't quite captured the heights of his hurdling career but he is with a trainer who has a good record with his novice chasers. Winsley finished second in a listed hurdle at Sandown last December. He had a busy time of it last season but the trainer is wasting little time in getting down to business over the fences. Space Star has bits and pieces of hurdling form that give him a squeak at this level. Flying Spirit secures the vote in what may turn out to be a very informative beginners' chase.
Celebration Town (IRE) 10-1 Held up mid-division, ridden and one pace 4 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind James Victor at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (E) gf in Sept.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 25-1 Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 16l behind Distant Prospect at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (A) gd in Nov.
Kjjimmy (IRE) 66-1 Always rear, tailed off when mistake 5 out, 14th of 16, well behind River Phantom at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (D) gs.
Kyper Disco (FR) 14-1 Prominent, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakening when mistaken 2 out, 5th of 9, 37l behind Tomina at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs.
Stopwatch (IRE) 9-2 With leader, led 8th, headed approaching 2 out and soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Sardagna at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) sft in Mar.
Winsley 4-1 Held up, hampered 4th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 10l behind Nyrche at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Mar.
Dad's Elect (GER) 11-4fav Held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner from next, kept on, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Major Euro at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (D) gd.
