towards rear, went 4th at 13th, headway from 4 out, driven approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 11th, behind from 14th, tailed off
never going well in rear, blundered and reminder 11th, no chance after
raced in 3rd, hit 7th, closed after 4 out, ridden to chase winner and not fluent 3 out, driven and one pace approaching last
not fluent, soon prominent in chasing group, ridden and blundered 12th, weakened under pressure 4 out
prominent in chasing group, closed from 3 out to dispute 3rd 2 out, weakened soon after
chased clear leader, closed up after 4 out to lead 3 out, in command last, driven and stayed on well
always in rear, tailed off 4 out
behind, headway from 4 out, disputing 3 lengths 3rd when blundered 2 out, soon no impression on front pair
led, clear 4th, reduced lead when headed and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
hit 14th, always behind
in touch, behind from 13th, tailed off 4 out
Bestofthebrownies gets the vote in this competitive finale with Presenting Express and The Dark Lord two dangers, along with the race-fit Oniz Tiptoes. The selection has a nice racing weight this afternoon and comes here on the back of a game success at Sedgefield despite being markedly weak in the betting. He was produced late on and won with more in hand than the official winning distance so with more improvement to come, Howard Johnson's charge gets the nomination. Oniz Tiptoes must be a danger as he is so consistent. John Wainwright has his stable in fair form and with his gelding now reverting to fences, where he has won two and finished second twice in five starts, he should be afforded due respect. The Dark Lord returns from a break and has the form in the book to go close assuming that his jumping has improved. Underwriter is another who has jumping frailties but Ferdy Murphy's charge was running in better races last season and should not be readily overlooked. Mr Fluffy is a course and distance winner, so along with the returning Harry's Dream should be watched for market support. Tamango returns to chasing where has has more success than hurdles, however he is yet to win over this trip. At a price Its Crucial could go well, especially if the rain falls, however Bestofthebrownies is in form and fancied to win again.
Tamango (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Chased clear leader, hampered approaching 8th, soon recovered, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 19l behind Iron Maid (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Harry's Dream 4-1jt-fav (11-10) In rear when blundered 10th, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Alderburn (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Presenting Express (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up last, in touch, pushed along 17th, effort next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out pulled up in race won by Martha's Kinsman (11-0) at Ascot 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Latimer's Place 25-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, lost place after 12th (Canal Turn), outpaced 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, 3rd of 29, 9l behind Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Mr Fluffy 15-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 10th, ridden after 13th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Itsmyboy (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Black de Bessy (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 6th of 9, 15l behind Harry's Dream (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct '06.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on until no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Gus (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, blundered 6th, in touch when fell 4 out in race won by Alexanderthegreat (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Underwriter (USA) 14-1 (9-12) Held up when fell in race won by Royal County Star (9-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Its Crucial (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Led and blundered 1st, stumbled and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept, 14 ran.
Bestofthebrownies (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, ridden right out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Basic Fact (11-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
King Coal (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd until 5th, chased leaders until weakened 13th, 9th of 11, 28l behind Stern (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
