tracked leader, left in lead 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
led, fell 6th
tracked leader, slow 8th, weakening when blundered 2 out, pulled up after last
held up, headway and jumped right 3 out, soon chasing winner, jumped right 2nd last and last, kept on
held up, pulled hard, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well
held up, some headway approaching 2 out, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 5th, soon beaten
held up, behind when unseated rider 2 out
It will be interesting to see how Armaguedon performs on his chasing bow after an absence of 21 months but Len Lungo's gelding is probably best watched right now and a safer bet looks to be Astronomic, with Mr McAuley rated the best of the remainder. The selection has not been seen since being pulled up at Aintree in April but lack of a recent outing should not be of concern to a gelding from the in-form yard of Howard Johnson. Sure to have been well schooled, the son of Zafonic is taken to make a winning start to his chasing career. Lucinda Russell's yard has been rather quiet this term and her runner Albertino Lad gave no real cause for optimism on his recent reappearance, while Skenfrith took a crashing fall on his most recent start and that may have left its mark. Astronomic has obviously yet to jump a fence in public but he was easily the best of these over hurdles and looks the percentage call given the form of the yard.
Albertino Lad 8-1 (11-9) In touch, mistake 7th, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, mistake next, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 27l behind Corrib Lad (11-12) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft in Nov.
Armaguedon (FR) 2-7fav (11-2) Made all, clear after 4 out, easily, won at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (F) gf in Mar '04 beating Hollows Mist (10-13) by 16l, 10 ran.
Astronomic 14-1 (11-8) Chased clear leader, reminders 5th and soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mighty Man (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Mr Mcauley (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Close up on outside, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 11, 26l behind Classic Capers (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (E) gs.
Shares (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 48l behind Diamond Sal (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov.
Skenfrith 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear when fell at the 7th in race won by Mel In Blue (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (C) gs, 8 ran.
Fleetfoot Mac 66-1 (11-4) Raced keenly in touch, ridden and lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Whispering Moor (11-5) at Perth 3m amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Apr, 16 ran.
Named At Dinner 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 13l behind Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov.
