led, headed after 2nd, weakened 11th, very tired and refused 3 out
tracking leaders when unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, led after 2nd, mistake 2 out, ridden out
keen, mid-division, weakened 12th
in rear when fell 10th
swerved left start, refused to race, continued in opposite direction
in touch, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, dropped rear, headway 12th, held when blundered 4 out
towards rear, headway 12th, chased winner from 5 out, hung left and no impression
in touch, headway 5th, chased leader 8th, weakened 4 out
in rear, behind when pulled up before 8th
Rimsky was easily the pick of these over hurdles and despite having a long absence to over come, Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in good form at present so he looks worth a wager here, getting the vote over Michael Muck and Castlecomer. The last mentioned is nothing out of the ordinary but has already shown ability over fences and has solid place claims. Nomad is capable but has a long absence to overcome, while Sprosser has shown only a modicum of ability since being switched from point-to-point company. Michael Muck showed respectable form over hurdles and has to be respected on his first start over fences but Rimsky could be different class to his rivals and he is preferred.
Castlecomer (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up, behind with one other by 3rd fence, tailed off when left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 4, well behind Dancing Bay (11-4) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Harrival 16-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 6th, hampered 9th, weakened after 13th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Joris De Vonnas (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Michael Muck 11-2co-fav (10-3) Always prominent, led after 4 out, ridden and joined last, kept on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar beating Opera de Coeur (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Nomad (FR) (10-3) In touch, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Nirvana Swing (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 4f chs in Nov '05.
Oat Hill 100-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Willyanwoody (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (3) gf, 7 ran.
Plasteredinburnham (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division until after 5th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Ardente Sauvage (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) sft in Aug.
Predicament 100-1 (10-6) Always last, tailed off, 6th of 7, 30l behind Tramantano (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Rimsky (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 15l behind Aces Four (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Apr '06.
Sprosser (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chased leaders 3 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 7l behind Lincoln's Inn (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Vanishing Dancer (SWI) 5-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 8th, tracking leaders when mistake 13th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Keenan's Future (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chs (3) gd in Apr.
