with leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
led, hit 3 out, soon headed, a length and a half down when fell 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up, blundered 2nd, chased leaders 6th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, chased leader after 4 out until 3 out, left 2nd next, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division and keen, chased leader 3 out, soon led, left clear next, easily
held up, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, kept on same pace from 3 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden 5th, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Honest John, Colombard and Smoke and Mirrors make the shortlist here with HONEST JOHN taken to have come on for his seasonal re-appearance and claim this interesting affair. Columbard made his debut in a hot bumper at Aintree, and ran well for a long way before finishing a highly respectable sixth. Paul Nicholls' charge clearly has ability and can play a big part here. Smoke and Mirrors left previous form behind when slamming 15 rivals at Wetherby recently, and can go well despite shouldering a penalty. Honest John took the Championship bumper at Aintree, the form of which has worked out well, and although he could finish only third on his hurdling bow on a return visit to the track, he will enjoy this better ground. Honest John has very solid form credentials, and is taken to get off the mark over timber.
Smoke And Mirrors 6-1 (10-12) Close up, led 4 out, ridden next, stayed on well from last, won at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Morning Sunshine (10-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Alderley Rover (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch when fell at the 2nd in race won by Fredo (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov, 16 ran.
Bagsy's Bridge (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of Princess Megan.
Beau Sam 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Carrick Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened approaching 5th, 9th of 13, well behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Colombard (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 20l behind Cloudy Times (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) sft in Oct.
Crop Walker (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance approaching last, not quicken, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Runthatpastmeagain (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Freschezza 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under strong pressure flat to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Present (10-0) by a hd, 14 ran.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division outside, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, well behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Grand Union (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden along 8th, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Luna Landing (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Honest John 7-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders and keen, hit 5th, challenged 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 11, 25l behind My Moment (11-8) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Kangaroo Court (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 25l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov.
Lukey Luke 150-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 26l behind Bolodenka (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Millarky 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, weakened next, mistake 8th and 2 out, tailed off, 12th of 18, well behind Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Northern Blaze 10-1 (10-12) Prominent until ridden and lost place on bend after 3rd, 12th of 16, well behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Perkin Warbeck 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, nudged along and headway 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, held on for modest 3rd, 3rd of 16, well behind Fair Point (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Quiqui de L'Isle (FR) Fragrant Mix gelding out of Ad Vitam Eternam.
The Fabricator (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 16, 29l behind Quwetwo (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Tremolo (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mistakes, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 18 ran.
What Happened 9-4fav (11-7) A bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Lewesdon Prince (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in May, 12 ran.
Ethel Briggs 50-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 19, 14l behind Kaskader (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Blue Teal (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 9, 28l behind Mad Max (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
