in touch, headway 5 out, led approaching 4 out, jumped badly right next 2, headed approaching last, one pace
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4th
struggling halfway, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
always towards rear, pulled up before 6 out
held up, outpaced 6 out, rallied approaching 4 out, led approaching last, kept on well
always behind, pulled up before 13th
tailed off halfway, pulled up after 10th
behind from halfway, pulled up after 11th
led and set strong pace, blundered 10th, headed 13th, pulled up before next
in touch, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
close up, led 13th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Witch Wind showed gradual improvement over hurdles last term and has to be respected on his chasing debut but he would need to improve on hurdles form to get the better of Wee Forbees, who gets the vote, with Ballyvoge rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed progressive form on his first season last term and Howard Johnson has wasted no time in putting the son of Shernazar over the larger obstacles. Rathowen is capable and may improve for going over fences but probably needs to and he has a long absence to overcome. Several of these have been point-to-pointing, with the pick of them being Royal Mackintosh, but a bigger threat is likely to come from Ballyvoge. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding has a similar profile to Wee Forbees and has the benefit of a recent run but preference is for the Howard Johnson runner who may be better class.
Ballyvoge (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner 12th, effort between final 2, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Ice Tea (11-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf.
Dalawan 28-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 10, 31l behind Brickies Mate (11-1) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gd in May.
Happy Boy (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Towards rear, struggling from 8th, 11th of 17, 32l behind Bleu Pois (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
President Hill (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Prominent, led briefly 4th, weakened 6th, lost touch and pulled up 4 out in race won by Ballamusic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Rathowen (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along and struggling from 8th, 7th of 9, 49l behind According To John (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov '06.
Royal Mackintosh 8-1 (11-6) Held up, some headway to chase leaders 11th, ridden next, no impression, 3rd of 12, 30l behind Lord Who (12-2) at Perth 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in May.
Scarecrow (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 40l behind Mister Magnum (10-9) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Sonny Liston (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) 2nd of 10, nk behind Jamadiel (12-0) at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Feb.
Wee Forbees (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led until approaching 2nd, chased leader 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Chief Dan George (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Witch Wind 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Chased leader, driven along 8th, lost place next, 8th of 11, well behind Gidam Gidam (11-3) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Maura's Legacy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, clear after 4 out, headed after 3 out, soon dropped to 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 22l behind Far From Trouble (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hdl gs in Feb.
Nasrha (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) A.p; led 11-2 out; ev ch last; no ex, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Delfinia (11-7) at Netherby Park 3m ptp hvy in Feb.
Stormont Dawn (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Held up, blundered 2nd, ridden 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Brickies Mate (11-1) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
