Another interesting contest than can go the way of the McCain stable via OUR MICK. A bumper winner at Market Rasen on his debut in April, he's returned in good form and probably came up against a very useful rival when runner-up to Backspin on his hurdling bow over 2m1f here last month. Patrons of Nicky Henderson's yard had to pay a fortune to buy Chablais after the French-bred gained an impressive victory in an Irish point-to-point in March so will be expecting a quick return on their investment. Rebecca Curtis does brilliantly with her bumper horses so it was no surprise when The Merry Giant was odds-on for his debut at Worcester in May. He did the business that day and, though unimpressive, suggested there was plenty more in the tank. Tiptoeaway made a winning debut in a Hexham bumper in April and ran quite well behind Attaglance over hurdles at Market Rasen in November.
Be True (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, tracking leaders when brought down soon after 5th, in a race won by Upthemsteps (10-12) at Towcester 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Bishophill Jack (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 5th, headed approaching 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 11th of 16, 25l behind Pilgreen (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Chablais (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Mid div, 7th 1/2 way, went 3rd 5out, ld from 3out, adv from next, kow, comfortably, won at Horse And Jockey 3m ire ptp gf in Mar beating O'flahertys Man (12-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Katapult (GER) 22-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, no impression from over 2f out, 8th of 16, 26l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in May '09.
Morcambe 28-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until ridden 7th, weakened soon after, tailed off, 8th of 17, 36l behind Habbie Simpson (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Our Mick 4-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Rich Live (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd before halfway, pushed along over 4f out, lost place over 2f out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Carribs Leap (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Seymour Eric 4-1 (10-9) Chased winner, hit 6th, outpaced when blundered 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, lost 3rd and weakened between last 2, pulled up before last, in a race won by Silver Footnote (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
The Merry Giant (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, challenged from 2f out, upsides, green and hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, on top near finish, won at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in May beating Railway Diva (10-11) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Tippering (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and beaten when jumped left 2 out, 6th of 16, 19l behind Storm Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Tiptoeaway (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division and keen, headway on inside approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Attaglance (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Copsehill Girl (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 16, 50l behind Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Loch Ba (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and one pace from 2 out, not fluent last, 5th of 16, 19l behind Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Naughtyatiz (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Mediolanum (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
