prominent until jumped slowly 5th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 7 lengths 3rd last, rallied flat and strong run under pressure to lead near finish
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders until stumbled just after 7th, soon eased, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, short lived effort after 7th, no impression
not fluent 3rd, always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, hard ridden to lead flat, caught close home
pulled hard in rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened 7th
always towards rear, tailed off
raced keenly, prominent, led 4th, hung right on bend after 7th until headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten
always behind, tailed off from 6th
took keen hold in rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 3 out
led to 4th, prominent until weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, no extra
held up, some headway approaching 3 out, no further progress
Leading Contender is the pick over Bradley Boy and a whole host of interesting sorts from leading yards. Once again it is difficult to be confident of success here with fitness doubts surrounding most of them, including the selection Leading Contender who bids to back up the Cheltenham Champion Bumper form, which year after year pays to follow. Connections will be disappointed if he does not win his share over hurdles this term, and he gets a tentative vote. Bradley Boy did not meet the same quality of opposition as the selection in bumpers and looked one-paced as well, so this step up in trip will help. His dam is related to Gold Cup winner Master Oats, so his future will also lie over fences no doubt. The Hollow Bottom shaped nicely last term, while Paul Nicholls unleashes Kalin de Thaix who is destined to go chasing before Christmas. Tua handled soft ground when scoring over a mile in New Zealand, but his ability to last out this trip is open to question, and we would rather side with Leading Contender, albeit to small stakes.
All That Jazz 16-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Lost In The Snow (12-0) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gf in May '05, 13 ran.
Bradley Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) With leader, led after 6f, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Bermuda Pointe (10-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Kalin de Thaix (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by King Revo (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan '04, 15 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 18th of 23, 23l behind Hairy Molly (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ran on well from last, nearest finish, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Private Be (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
The Hollow Bottom 7-1 (11-11) Led, ridden and edged left over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Jan.
Whosethatfor (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leader until after 6th, weakened next, 7th of 14, well behind Temple Place (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mountain Approach 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden and switched left over 3f out, all out to lead inside final furlong, won at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in May beating Greenhill Bramble (11-4) by 1l, 11 ran.
