tracked leaders, lost place after 13th, hung left from 4 out, stayed on fom 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders until not fluent 2nd, soon in rear and not going well, hit 6th, pulled up before 9th
held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden after 13th, beaten 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed approaching 4 out, lost 2nd last, weakened flat
in touch in mid-division, tried to close when hesitant at fences from 11th until 14th, soon ridden and lost place, well beaten when mistake 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, challenged 6th, led approaching 4 out, mistake next, driven out
in rear, hit 9th, effort approaching 4 out, no impression, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 12th, driven along after 13th, stayed on under pressure to chase winner last, no impression
Evan Williams has a fine record in this race and last year's winner Deep Purple has to be respected, but he isn't the biggest horse to be carrying such a big weight and is worth taking on with THE TOTHER ONE. The Nicholls horse has an engine to go with his quirks and has a good record fresh, suggesting this may be the time to catch him. He's lightly raced and the form of his early-season 2009 efforts entitles him to respect, especially if rain arrives. Nacarat ran a fine race in last season's King George and could be tough to peg back if allowed to dominate but with 2007 winner Ollie Magern in the line-up that won't be easy. Barbers Shop holds him on their run behind Kauto Star too but the Henderson runner has disappointed more than once so those seeking value could turn to Knockara Beau, who is expected to run well even if this comes a year too soon.
Deep Purple 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, not fleunt 5th, headed 8th, blundered 14th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside 16th, challenged and every chance 3 out, lost place next, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 20l behind Midnight Chase (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Ollie Magern 14-1 (11-8) Made all, driven 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well flat (no time taken), won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in May beating Sir Bathwick (10-9) by 12l, 12 ran.
Barbers Shop 9-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, dropped behind from 3 out and pulled up before next, in a race won by Planet Of Sound (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Nacarat (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Disputed lead, hit 1st, hit 11th, mistake 4 out, led next, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 17l behind What A Friend (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Apr.
That's Rhythm (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mainly always towards rear on outside and not travel that well, well beaten 4 out, 10th of 15, 26l behind Silmi (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
The Tother One (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 14th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 5th of 24, 13l behind Chief Dan George (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
