chased leaders, jumped right, bumped and fell 1st
held up in touch, weakened 11th
led to 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, lost place approaching 9th
held up, tracked leaders 10th, hit 5 out, led 4 out, headed between last 2, one pace
held up towards rear, hampered 1st, chased leaders appoaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
always behind
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders 4th, led 11th, headed 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, led again between last 2, headed final 100 yards, no extra
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 5 out, stayed on to lead last 100 yards
held up, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
There's no doubt that Can't Buy Time is progressing along the right lines but he's taking on much better opposition here and appeals as one to take on. WILD CANE RIDGE is the suggestion and is preferred to Atouchbetweenacara. Twelve Paces could go well from a lightweight, Malko De Beaumont is progressing well enough whilst The Sawyer went close over course and distance in a novice chase in March and is better than he showed last time. Four of D'Argent's seven wins have come at Warwick whilst Idle Talk appears to need everything to drop right in order to get his head in front. Atouchbetweenacara was still in contention when falling last time and appeals as the type to relish this sort of test; there should be more to come from him. Can't Buy Time has obvious claims but his three wins have been on good ground and this provides him with a different sort of test so we're prepared to take him on. Lenny Lungo is enjoying a better season and Wild Cane Ridge shaped pleasingly in a competitive handicap hurdle at this track last month. He finished a half length second in the 2006 renewal of this race from a 2lb higher mark. Conditions are in his favour, he doesn't have too many miles on the clock so it looks worth taking a chance with Wild Cane Ridge.
D'Argent (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Disputed lead, headed and under pressure approaching 4 out, weakened soon after, 11th of 19, 45l behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Idle Talk (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, went a poor 3rd 4 out until weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, well behind Black Apalachi (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Nov.
Wild Cane Ridge (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Led to 1st, remained close up, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 15, 16l behind According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Petite Margot 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division until 24th, soon behind, 9th of 16, 46l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led 3rd, made rest, hit 13th, clear when jumped left last, stayed on well, won at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Ma Yahab (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Sawyer (BEL) 9-2 (11-11) Held up well in rear, headway and left 3rd 4 out, driven and weakened soon after 2 out, beaten when blundered last, 5th of 10, 15l behind Jim Bobs Girl (10-5) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Flake 14-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, struggling from 5th, 7th of 8, well behind Kilmackilloge (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Stagecoach Diamond 7-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced 12th, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 12l behind Doc Row (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracking leader when fell at the 6th in race won by Ashwell (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Held up, headway 5 out, every chance last, no etxra close home, 3rd of 9, nk behind Zitenka (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Twelve Paces 15-8fav (9-8) Held up, steady headway from 10th, chased winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Karelian 11-1 (10-7) Behind, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 29l behind Laskari (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft.
