always prominent, not fluent 8th, challenged 12th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, not reach winner
led, headed after 10th, soon lost place, weakened 4 out
close up on outside, hit 8th, soon lost place, tailed off from 4 out
mid-division, headway halfway, led 12th, drew clear after 3 out, ridden and kept on next
in touch, struggling 10th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 10th
in touch, tracked leader 7th, led after 10th, headed 12th, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off from 4 out
tracked leaders to 7th, effort 12th, went third 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
behind, blundered 8th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 11th
Akilak will be all the rage here, and with little to beat should oblige at the expense of Willies Way. Akilak was head and shoulders above this lot over hurdles, having won a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham in 2005. He seemed to lose his way a bit earlier this year, and the decision to go chasing instead is probably a wise move judged on what he showed on his introduction to the bigger obstacles at Carlisle a fortnight ago. Although he never looked like reeling in the winner Tidal Fury, he stayed on well, and with that return run under his belt, Akilak will prove a different proposition, especially over this longer trip. Willies Way was not in the same league as the selection over timber, but hails from a predominantly chasing stable and is sure to have been well schooled. Sort It Out has a long absence to overcome so is best watched, while the market will be a pointer to the chances of Royal Paradise. Akilak has obvious claims though, and bar a fall is the one that they all have to beat.
Akilak (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner next, no impression, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Tidal Fury (10-7) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft.
Beamish Prince 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, 8th of 10, well behind Tidal Fury (10-7) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft.
Corlande (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, never a factor, 8th of 12, well behind Heltornic (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (3) gs in Oct.
Day Of Claies (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, hit 3rd, prominent when fell 5 out in race won by Tora Bora (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd, 8 ran.
Gastornis 20-1 (10-13) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Alam (11-1) at Hexham 2m beg chs (D) hvy in Dec '04, 11 ran.
Generals Laststand (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Nicozetto (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Royal Paradise (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Close up, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Mr Pointment (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Willies Way 10-1 (11-1) Chased leader, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 14, 10l behind Wot Way Chief (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
