stumbled badly 1st, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until 7th, soon tailed off
chased leaders, went prominent at the 5th, reminders after 6, ridden after 3 out, kept on under pressure from next
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, tailed off from 6th
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway and pecked 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, hit 2nd, headway after 6th, led 3 out, went left next, soon ridden, stayed on well, ridden out
chased leaders until 5th, weakened quickly, pulled up before 7th
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
in touch, tracked leaders 7th, pressing winner and hampered 2 out, soon ridden and switched right, kept on but no extra flat
held up towards rear, headway 5th, chased leaders and ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, went lame flat
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
Gentleman Jimmy, Ballyshan and Original Thought are the three for the shortlist and preference is for Gentleman Jimmy. Ballyshan ran well to be second at Leicester last time and although looking a bit one paced in the closing stages that was a fair effort and as it was his debut he can be expected to improve. Original Thought ran two promising races in bumpers last season finishing third on each occasion and shaped with promise when finishing fifth on his hurdling bow in a decent race at Newbury. He will have benefited from the experience. Gentleman Jimmy was a pleasing fifth on his debut in a bumper last season but stepped up on that when landing a gamble at Taunton in another bumper last month. He makes his hurdling bow here so his jumping ability has to be taken on trust, but Hughie Morrison is sure to have him well prepared. Gentleman Jimmy gets the vote.
Ballykiln (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Always behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ask The Gatherer (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Ballyrainey (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led to 7f out, stayed prominent until weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 20l behind Ice Tea (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Ballyshan (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leader, pecked 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Clyffe Hanger (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (C) gs in Nov.
Ben Belleshot 150-1 (11-2) Keen, mistake 1st, ridden and weakening 5th, behind when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Galteemountain Boy (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) sft, 16 ran.
Blind Smart (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place after 6f, soon tailed off, last of 15, well behind Magical Wonderland (9-13) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Jun '03.
Follow Your Heart (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, effort 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 27l behind Senorita Rumbalita (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Gentleman Jimmy 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, chased leader 5f out, led 1f out, pushed out, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gf in Nov beating Miss Midnight (10-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Gneeve Hill (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd briefly halfway, dropped to 6th approaching straight, kept on under pressure, 4th of 15, 8l behind Hang Seng (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f nhf gs in Apr '04.
Kaldouas (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, no impression on leaders from well over 1f out, 10th of 19, 19l behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (A) gs in Nov.
O Cinza (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Accipiter (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Jan '04, 12 ran.
Original Thought (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 12l behind Pirate Flagship (11-2) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Boberelle (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway and ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 12, 22l behind Desert Quest (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (D) frm in Oct.
Classic Ruby 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, losing place when jumped left 5th, mistake 6th, tailed off after 7th, 13th of 16, well behind Oscar Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
My Rosie Ribbons (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Raced wide with leader, jumped left, every chance when ran out 3 out in race won by Vertical Bloom (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (D) gd, 16 ran.
