held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, never near leaders
chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
always in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before last
always behind
chased leaders, hit 3 out, 3rd and held when hit last
always behind
made most to 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out and soon lost place, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leader next, jumped left last, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish
chased leaders, ridden 6th, blundered 4 out and pulled up
never better than mid-division
held up in rear, moderate headway from 2 out, not reached leaders
pressed leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
held up, 7th going well when fell 2 out
in touch, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out and weakened next
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, driven along approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, clear 2 out, weakening last, headed near finish
Mouseski is a tentative choice in the finale, with Nassaro, Michaels Dream, Astyanax and Lord of Illusion just a few more in with claims. With no less than 24 declared to run, it is more in hope than optimism that Mouseski is selected to make the most of his lenient mark. He is rated nearly three stone higher over fences, and so Paul Nichols was obviously keen to exploit the fact at Chepstow in October. He duly did the business before failing to handle the very testing conditions when second on a return visit to the Welsh track nine days ago. The extra furlong and stiff finish will suit, and he can go close. Nassaro finished fourth in Listed company at Gowran on his latest start so has to be respected, while Michaels Dream has been a model of consistency for his northern yard. Astyanax was a quite a useful stayer on the level for Sir Mark Prescott and finally looked to be getting his act together when scoring at Ludlow. Lord of Illusion is much better treated over hurdles, but may need the run and is best kept in mind for when he goes back over fences. The list is endless really, but we shall pin our hopes on Mouseski.
Anatar (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, 18l behind The Market Man (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
Mouseski 4-5fav (11-3) Led to 7th, led again 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, rallied under pressure last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind By Degree (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
Nassaro (IRE) 10-3fav (9-11) Held up in rear, slight mistake 4 out, headway after 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Red Square Lady (10-9) at Gowran Park 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Oct.
Kilgowan (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Held up rear, ridden when mistake 4 out, kept on, 4th of 9, 22l behind Tomina (11-8) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Jorobaden (11-9) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Oct.
Newtown Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Moderate 3rd early, improved to lead 6 out, headed before 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight, 3rd of 18, 17l behind Jimmy Spot On (10-11) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-109 gs in Oct.
Better Think Again (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 8th approaching straight, close up and ridden when fell 3 out fell in race won by Malachy's Attic (10-12) at Cork 2m 3f hdl gs in Oct, 20 ran.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Made virtually all, not fluent 10th, hit 13th, driven clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Jan beating Baron Windrush (11-0) by 12l, 11 ran.
Montevideo 6-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 7th, struggling next, behind when fell 4 out in race won by Joey Tribbiani (10-10) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Sept, 9 ran.
Double Dizzy 13-2 (10-7) Led after 2nd, hit 4th, headed well before last, regained lead after last, headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Darrias (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Oxybau (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 22, 9l behind Purple Shuffle (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-109 gs in Oct.
Water King (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leader 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Mouseski (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Oct, 18 ran.
Gan Eagla (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 5th until 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 31l behind Don't Ask Me (10-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct.
Allstar Leader (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Towards rear, kept on same pace from 3 out, 10th of 20, more than 12l behind Chemin D'or (10-4) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-123 sft in Oct.
Helm (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Not fluent 2nd, led 3rd, narrowly headed 2 out, challenging and every chance last, no extra and held flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Astyanax (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Made all, mistake 3 out, ridden and ran on flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Oct beating Teorban (11-12) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Miss Skippy 8-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, always prominent, chased winner approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Penneyrose Bay (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (D) gf in Oct.
Martovic (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Emmasflora (10-5) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Take A Drop (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Prominent, 3rd when fell at the 4th in race won by Kentucky Charm (11-8) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gf in Jul, 18 ran.
Argent Ou Or (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Behind, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 19l behind Random Quest (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) hvy.
Pardon What 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 7th, led flat, driven clear, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd beating Eljutan (10-13) by 5l, 17 ran.
Sir Walter (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, not quicken, 6th of 14, 7l behind Nanga Parbat (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Good Thyne Jack (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 16, 10l behind Dream Castle (11-5) at Listowel 2m hdl gd in Sept.
Mouftari (USA) 5-1 (10-12) Towards rear, kept on without threatening from 3 out, 8th of 18, 12l behind Grangehill Dancer (11-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 0-109 sft in Oct.
