tracked leader, keen, led 3rd, blundered 6th and 7th, every chance when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
led, headed 3rd, led again 4 out, left clear 3 out
held up, behind from 3rd, left poor 2nd 3 out, unseated rider last, remounted
Thyne Spirit needs a miracle but the remainder have realistic claims; BIG FELLA THANKS can keep the Nicholls juggernaut rolling. Mister Gloss is usually ridden positively and his two chase wins should give his jockey the confidence to make plenty of use of him here. He has jumped well on both occasions and is sure to try and exploit any weaknesses in the jumping of his rivals. The 8lbs that he concedes to his rivals levels the playing field somewhat though and Big Fella Thanks is sure to have done plenty of schooling at Ditcheat. This winning Irish pointer was never going to come into his own until this season but he did prove that he had an engine last year and is the elected stable runner from three entries. Ballyfitz excelled last season since returning from an absence of over a year and was by far and away the best of these over timber. His trainer is more readily associated with chasers and it would be folly to underestimate this talented performer who proved his affinity for the track when landing the Pertemps Final. Best Actor has not been easy to train but he has enough ability to persuade his connections to persevere and his neck defeat by Old Benny in bottomless ground at Warwick when last in action was a fair effort. This is a stiff ask though and his stable hasn't really got into gear yet which means that Ballyfitz and Big Fella Thanks appeal as the likeliest winners with the latter getting the arbitrary nod.
Mister Gloss (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Jumped left, led, headed 4 out, led again next, clear when jumped badly left, last 2, eased near finish, easily, won at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Sept beating Omix D'or (10-13) by 23l, 6 ran.
Ballyfitz 11-4 (11-4) Always prominent, led 3 out, hung left and strongly pressed approaching last, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Mobaasher (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Behind, not fluent 3rd, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 36l behind Winter Star (12-0) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Best Actor (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Led, hit 6th, headed 3 out and not fluent, soon ridden, disputed lead 2 out, every chance last, ran on again close home, just denied, 2nd of 8, hd behind Old Benny (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar '07.
Big Fella Thanks 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out until after last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Asian Royale (11-1) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Apr.
