prominent and keen, ridden 5 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out
prominent, led 3 out, driven and headed near line
held up, headway 3 out, driven to lead near line
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, driven, edged right and no extra from last
chased leaders, ridden 10th, soon well behind
Nonrunner
TOT O'WHISKEY is preferred in an interesting race despite dropping back in trip. Cases of varying degrees can be made for almost all of his opponents. Silent Bay has plenty to find on the figures but does have experience on his side. Rimsky picked up a handy purse for chasing home Tidal Bay over course and distance last time and should finish closer to the winner in this company if not taking the honours himself. Faasel is high class on his day but wouldn't be one for maximum faith up the demanding climb for home. Le Toscan pulled up in the face of an unrealistic task on debut for his new yard and remains best watched for the time being as are Crozan and Montgermont. The latter returned a beaten favourite in the Hennessy on his latest start when suffering an injury and he'd be entitled to need this whilst Crozan is an enigmatic sort who may or may not have been sweetened up by a change of yard. Tot O'Whiskey lacked the pace to score over two miles four here on his penultimate start and relished the longer trip when returning eighteen days ago but he seems the likeliest to run his race and is a classy sort in his own right so Tot O'Whiskey has to be the call.
Crozan (FR) 25-1 (11-6) With leaders, left in lead 6th, headed 9th, prominent when fell at the 10th in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Le Toscan (FR) 100-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Knowhere (10-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Tot O'Whiskey 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along 4 out, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct beating Hockenheim (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, driven and weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 29l behind Pettifour (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf.
Rimsky (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on to take second after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Tidal Bay (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (2) sft.
Silent Bay 7-1 (11-9) Led to 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Trisons Star (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Montgermont (FR) 9-2fav (11-2) Behind, headway into mid-division 10th, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 16, well behind State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov '06.
