held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 3 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on well
held up in rear, ridden after 6th, behind after next
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, headed flat, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent next, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway after 7th, weakened 3 out
raced keenly, prominent, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, mistake 3 out, hung left approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 6th, headed before next, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 6th, soon driven, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
always prominent, led approaching 7th, headed 2 out, switched left flat, stayed on
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway approaching 2 out, hung right and weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
Character Building has not been seen since finishing a highly creditable third behind Denman in last season's Hennessy and John Quinn's gelding has to be respected back over hurdles but it may be worth taking a chance with another returning to action SYNCHRONISED, who gets the vote ahead of Captain Becket. The last mentioned was good value for his win at Fontwell last time but Jimmy Frost's gelding has rather harshly been raised 12lbs for that success and this looks tougher. Andrew Turnell's Shannon Springs showed fair form when last seen in April and has to be considered but he may be a shade high in the weights, while Letham Island ran better in a novices' hurdle at Folkestone when last seen in February but he may well need the run. Coda Agency made a winning return on the flat recently and has to be considered back over hurdles today but he may need some help from the handicapper. The vote then goes to Jonjo O'Neill's Synchronised, who has only had the two starts so far but has shown a decent level of form, represents a stable in form and he looks worth chancing off what seems a fair mark.
Character Building (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 17th, ridden and went 3rd before 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 18, 19l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, never reached leaders, weakened from 2 out, 9th of 16, 13l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 15-8 (10-11) Held up, mistake 1st, saddle slipped approaching 4 out, headway to chase winner next, every chance last, unlucky, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind My Immortal (11-7) at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr '07.
Captain Becket 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, in command when edged right flat, eased near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sept beating Flying Spirit (11-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Synchronised (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, steady headway from 7th, stumbled 3 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Debauchery (11-1) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Letham Island (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders throughout, awkward jump 3rd, ridden 2 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Topflight Wildbird (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Coda Agency 16-1 (11-2) In touch, chased leader 6th, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened, 4th of 11, 17l behind The Very Man (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Earcomesthedream (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) With winner until ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 12l behind Thumbprint (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Barneys Lyric 18-1 (9-12) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Fresh Winter (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar.
Gala Evening 12-1 (10-13) Towards rear, tailed off 8th, 10th of 14, well behind Stop The Show (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Mrs Gillow (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 4 out, 7th and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 16th of 22, well behind Bobsthewizard (10-6) at Punchestown 2m nov hcp hdl gs.
Lupita (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 7th, headway under pressure before next, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 31l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
