chased leaders, steadied approaching 3rd, headway 9th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, disputed 2nd briefly after 2 out, one pace
held up, steady headway from 9th, weakened 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
always prominent, led briefly 2nd, chased winner 3 out, no impression, one pace from 2 out
held up, mistake 9th, struggling from next, tailed off
held up, effort after 10th, weakened after 3 out
slowly away, raced keenly, headway to lead after 2nd, hampered by loose horse 4th, headed after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
in rear, mistake 5th, headway after 7th, ridden 10th, weakened after 3 out
led to 2nd, handy, led after 6, headed 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 7th, mistake 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
mid-division, mistake 4th, soon lost place, mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, steadied after 2nd, headway 6th, led 10th, hit 2 out, soon clear, easily
stumbled and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, ridden 10th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
It's great to see Celestial Gold back on the racecourse and at the age of 10 he may still have a big race in him, although David Pipe sends him out over hurdles to begin with and it could be a good time to catch him. Three years back the David Johnson-owned gelding was sent off second-favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and when he was last seen on the racecourse he was good enough to land the Betfair Bowl at Aintree. It is amazing to think that this is his hurdling debut, but this marathon trip should give him plenty of time to get the hang of things, he should be plenty straight enough coming from such a renowned yard, and he is miles clear of these on ability, so if he can run to anything like that standard (he is rated 160 over fences) then he will win. Next best will probably be Super Nick, who was a beaten favourite in a Bangor maiden contest last time and handles most ground, though prefers cut. However, Venetia Williams' charge looks likely to be retaining his maiden tag here. Toni Alcala has ability and stays pretty well but looks out of his depth at these weights and Major Malarkey may be good enough to hit the frame now at a price. In truth though, if he is anything like fit then they will all be admiring the performance of Celestial Gold, who is a confident choice.
Toni Alcala 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 14th of 17, 49l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
Bringewood Fox 80-1 (10-9) Reminders after 2nd, always behind, 9th of 15, well behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up and keen, steady headway 5 out, tracking leaders when hit 2 out, led after last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr '06 beating Take The Stand (11-2) by 7l, 9 ran.
Cengiz (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Close up, weakened after 10th, tailed off, 9th of 18, well behind Pitful Tercah (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Limestone Boy (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, soon faded, 12th of 14, well behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) In touch, jumped slowly 2nd, not fluent 7th, soon struggling, 7th of 15, 48l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Me And Pat (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 11th of 15, well behind Dragon Eye (10-11) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Picabo Kid (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression under pressure approaching 3 out, 12th of 17, 16l behind Bellflower Boy (10-13) at Thurles 2m 6f hacp hdl gd in Oct.
President Hill (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Held up when pulled up 5 out in race won by Premier Des Marais (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Stockton Flyer 100-1 (10-12) In touch, jumped slowly 2nd, under pressure 8th, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Super Nick (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, headed after next, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Iris Mary (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, never near leaders, 6th of 16, 25l behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Les Baux Belle (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Always behind, ridden 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Honour's Dream (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
The Good Doctor (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Always behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
