refused to race, took no part
tracked leaders, led 7th, soon ridden, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, weakened flat
mid-division, took keen hold, behind from 7th
jumped right and poorly, mid-division, behind 7th
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway after 7th, 4th, not ridden before 3 out, never near leaders
towards rear, headway and not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, jumped right 4th, jumped right and mistake 7th, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, in command when jumped right last, ran on
In rear, stayed on from 3 out, went 4th flat, never dangerous
led until not fluent 7th, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner last
Battle Group is looking for the hat-trick and despite running significantly higher in the weights than his rivals he still holds major prospects for this contest whilst challenges are likely to come from Drum Major and Dreamwalk but our preferred choice is RUSSIAN GEORGE. The selection ran really well at Aintree when finishing a good third behind Heron Bay. For a first run over the hurdles this was a very respectable effort and with that experience can go on to perform even better this time round. Dreamwalk was disappointing last time out on the flat all-weather at Kempton and has only seen the jumps once before last year finishing a long way behind the victor. However there is potential for improvement and a better run should be expected. Drum Major has not seen the hurdles for a long time and on those previous efforts wouldn't look to have a chance. In addition the stamina has been somewhat lacking over shorter trips and we have our reservations for the Jim Best trained gelding going in to this race. Although there are a number of potential improvers here, we give the tentative nod to Russian George.
Battle Group 10-3 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led 2 out, clear when hung left and blundered last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Stumped (10-13) by 3l, 8 ran.
Cool The Heels (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, not fluent 2nd, mistake 7th, soon weakened, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Off Gallivanting (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Drum Major (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Last pair, slow jump 1st and 2nd, struggling approaching 5th, soon lost touch, pulled up approaching last, in a race won by Helium (11-8) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec '08, 4 ran.
John Potts 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, driven and outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 32l behind Gremlin (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Oh Right (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Led until 7f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 32l behind Lovey Dovey (11-1) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Society Venue 50-1 (10-12) Held up well in rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 30l behind Hilfiger (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf.
Jobekani (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, jumped slowly 1st, jumped slowly and in rear 5th, 10th of 11, 48l behind Sir Frank (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Russian George (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, mistake when 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat, unable to reach front pair, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Heron Bay (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Sirjosh 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 40l behind Coup Royale (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Basford Tara 14-1 (10-7) Led until 2nd, soon led again, headed 7th, led well before 3 out, headed and weakened quickly when blundered at hurdle, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Sahrati (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Dreamwalk (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, with leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 27l behind Barwell Bridge (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Duke of Normandy (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Raced keen, led until mistake 2nd, saddle soon slipped, pulled up after 3rd, in a race won by Tillietudlem (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
