in rear, struggling 6th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, hit 6th, joined leader after 8th, led approaching 4 out, headed before next, soon one pace, lost 2nd 2 out, no extra
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon every chance, one pace when not fluent last, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in last trio, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon struggling and behind
always behind
in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace under pressure from next, no impression
led narrowly, driven and headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, driven 4 out, ridden and headway 2 out, chased leading pair last, stayed on flat, no impression
in touch on outside, ridden and outpaced 4 out, hit next soon weakened
in touch, smooth headway 4 out, led before next, drew readily clear from 2 out, comfortably
with leader, lost place after 8th, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, effort 4 out, 5th and one pace when hit 2 out, weakened last
Nonrunner
Recent Uttoxeter winner YOUNG ALBERT is fancied to win again. Charlie Longsdon's gelding has been with several yards but he put up a fine display when winning over hurdles last month and having tried fences before he is now respected as he continues over the smaller obstacles. Deep Pockets is adept over both sets of jumps but his record fresh is average, so a bigger threat may be Timetoring or the in-form Pavillon Bleu. Nodforms Paula is intriguing as he returns from almost three years off, but his future is likely to lie over fences. Cantabilly, Two Miles West and fellow recent winners Rhum and Go Amwell may be bigger threats, and along with Native Taipan are not to be taken on lightly.
Only Vintage (USA) 6-1 (12-0) Bhnd til hdwy 14; nrst fin, 4th of 14, 8l behind Gaye Trigger (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp gd in Jan '08.
Saphire Night 12-1 (11-5) In touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cross Kennon (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Pavillon Bleu (FR) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to 3rd on long run to 4 out, chased winner before 3 out, soon no impression, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 11, 6l behind For Non Stop (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Nodforms Paula (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Held up, driven and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on under pressure to lead between last 2, ridden out flat, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Mar '08 beating Osolomio (11-8) by 13l, 7 ran.
Two Miles West (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, coaxed along at several stages, ridden when mistake and dropped to last 8th, responded to pressure after 2 out, went 2nd in home straight, driven ahead close home, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug beating Flying Doctor (11-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Cantabilly (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden 7th, went 5th 3 out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 14l behind Hidden Keel (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Rhum (FR) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Oct beating Sagredo (10-11) by 6l, 13 ran.
Native Taipan (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Led, ridden and joined 3 out, kept slight advantage until narrowly headed on long run from last, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind American World (10-13) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Young Albert (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Took keen hold, soon in touch, ridden before home bend, led over 2f out, hit last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Oct beating Feel The Force (10-8) by 6l, 8 ran.
Stow 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, soon not travelling well, not fluent 6th, well behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Alderley Rover (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 17 ran.
Thelobstercatcher 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, chased winner 5th until ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 31l behind Maska Pony (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 6-1fav (10-13) Led until 7th, chased leader until ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 49l behind Chaim (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Mar.
Timetoring 4-1 (10-0) Led, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Viking Blond (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Go Amwell 15-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, upsides when left in lead after 2 out, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Inghwung (11-11) by 9l, 9 ran.
