tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon hard pressed, ran on well flat, ridden out
mid-division, headway 3 out, pressed winner next, every chance last, not quicken
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out to track leading pair, ridden after next, kept on same pace
chased leaders until mistake and lost place 3rd, soon driven along making headway when hit 2 out, stayed on
always towards rear
mid-division, headway after 5th, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, headway under pressure approaching next, stayed on
Slew Charm would have claims if fit for his return but lack of a recent run has to be of concern for Noel Chance's gelding and a better bet may prove to be Trompette, who gets the vote ahead of Dusky Lord. The last mentioned should strip fitter for his recent reappearance at Stratford and has to be considered but Nick Gifford's gelding may struggle to give weight away all round. Foodbroker Founder is now 7lbs higher than when successful at Stratford in June and may be best watched on his return, while Gold Ring has not looked a natural over hurdles but is well treated on flat form and does have ground conditions to suit. Red Moor is another with teh benefit of having already had a race this season but he would need to step up considerably on teh form shown at Bangor to trouble the judge and he may be a shade high in the weights at present. Trompette lacks a run but trainer Nicky Henderson has his string in good form right no so lack of an outing need not be of too much concern and she is taken to open her account for the campaign at the first time of asking under ground conditions that suit ideally.
Dusky Lord 6-4fav (11-9) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Take A Mile (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Slew Charm (FR) 11-4 (11-1) In touch, ridden when jumped left last, went 2nd flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Opera de Coeur (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Gold Ring 3-1 (11-2) Jumped right, made all, jumped badly right last 2, kept on well, pushed out, won at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar '05 beating Bonny Grey (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Red Moor (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Prominent to 6th, 5th of 12, 18l behind Ellerslie Tom (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Foodbroker Founder 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden 4 out, led 3 out, challenged flat, held on, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun beating Estate (10-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Trompette (USA) 6-1 (10-6) Held up, 9th and progress 3 out, 7th next, kept on from last, 5th of 24, 9l behind Brogella (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 2f hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Tamreen (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, left in lead 6th, soon headed and weakened, 7th of 13, 38l behind Iffy (11-2) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 10-3 (10-8) Held up in rear, effort 3 out, headway approaching next, kept on, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Aston Lad (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar.
