chased leaders, hampered 9th, soon behind
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, no chance with winner approaching 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd before last
held up and behind, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner
held up in mid-division, headway when hit 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, not much room 8th, hampered next, headway 10th, ridden 12th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, pulled hard, moved closer 5th, left 3rd 9th, mistakes 10th and 11th (water), went 2nd 3 out, led soon after, clear when jumped right 2 out, easily
in touch, 3rd when fell 9th
chased leader, just lost 2nd when blundered 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, headway when mistake 10th, mistake 4 out, soon driven along and no impression, went moderate 3rd when mistake last
mid-division, behind from 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, hampered 9th, badly hampered and unseated rider 11th (water)
towards rear until fell 11th (water)
Dune Raider can take this valuable prize although Cathedral Rock and Different Class should prove worthy opposition. His performance at Leicester should not be underestimated as he managed to score giving weight all around and while it is a negative that Graham Lee is not aboard today, a useful conditional is booked. Cathedral Rock wasn't knocked about on chasing debut. He is entitled to put up an improved effort for today's step up in trip. Different Class makes a return after a sizeable absence. A winner of three starts over hurdles, he seemed versatile as far as going was concerned. Snow Patrol has always been spoken of as far as chasing is concerned so it will be fascinating to see whether there is money for him. Swift Sailor has never quite lived up to expectations while Smart Street is beginning to look flattered by his current BHA rating. A good race in prospect and Dune Raider is put forward as the percentage pick.
Absolut Power (GER) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, never a factor, 4th of 10, 30l behind Thunder Rock (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
All Things Equal (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Set moderate gallop, raced keenly, slipped on bend after 4th, hit 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, every chance when fell in race won by Burntoakboy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Oct, 4 ran.
Cathedral Rock (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden after 4 out, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Pauillac (10-7) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Different Class (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 8th, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug '06 beating McQueen (10-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Dune Raider (USA) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, improved 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and ran on flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Abutilon (11-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Pedros Brief (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 6th, headway after 4 out, ridden 2 out, jumped right and led last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Kew Jumper (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Red Moor (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Led and set slow pace, hit 1st, headed approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Space Cowboy (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (3) gf in Nov.
Smart Street 9-2 (10-11) Jumped right, in touch, challenged 7th, hit 3 out, every chance between last 2, ridden and no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Water Taxi (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Snow Patrol 8-11fav (11-2) Made all, driven 3 out, jumped right 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb beating Gunnasayso (10-9) by 5l, 13 ran.
Swift Sailor 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 26l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Victorias Groom (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Led, blundered 8th, mistake and headed 9th, beaten when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Acambo (11-0) at Ascot 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Papeete (GER) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 9th, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd run in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Methodical (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
