mid-division, lost touch 11th, soon tailed off and pulled up
held up in touch, struggling 11th, soon weakened and pulled up
keen early, disputed lead to before 11th, weakened before 13th, soon pulled up
disputed lead until went on before 11th, headed narrowly before 4 out when not fluent, kept on same pace, no impression in clear 3rd from 2 out
tracked leaders, headway when not fluent 14th, led narrowly before 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to regain lead flat, all out
in touch on outside, reminders after 5th, dropped to mid-division next, struggling when blundered and unseated rider 10th
mistake 1st, held up in rear, not fluent 8th, blundered and sprawled on landing next, quickly pulled up
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced by leading pair before 4 out, rallied next, led 2 out, ridden last, headed flat, no extra
held up behind, struggling 10th, lost touch next, soon pulled up
held up in touch on inside, outpaced by leading trio 14th, soon beaten, moderate 4th and last 4 out, tailed off
A potentially informative beginners' chase as a few of these have the potential to make a name for themselves over the larger obstacles. ROCKY CREEK beat Gullinbursti in a Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Doncaster in January and, though the latter is 4lb better off as they clash over fences, Paul Nicholls' lightly-raced gelding is expected to come out on top today and land this. Harry Topper could be a very interesting rival, however, as he also finished ahead of a Gullinbursti in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April and has always looked the type to do well at the chasing game. Thehillofuisneach was a bit more exposed than some of these over hurdles and was a long way behind Harry Topper at Haydock in February but he could still play a part if fully wound-up but formerly useful pointer Wayward Frolic returns form a lengthy absence.
Agapanthus (GER) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, mistake when weakening next, 7th of 10, 25l behind Dormouse (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Nov.
Bobbits Way 33-1 (10-8) Last pair, ridden after 4th, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Cinevator (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Calon Crwbin 6-4fav (11-5) In touch, went 2nd after 7th, led and not fluent 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, mistake last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep '10 beating Black Annie (10-12) by 29l, 13 ran.
Gullinbursti (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, hampered 4th, led next, headed 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 19, well behind Lovcen (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Harry Topper 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not much room on bend after 1st, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, headway after 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 19, 35l behind Lovcen (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Jacob's Ladder (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, lost place before 3rd, not fluent 8th, headway when mistake next, weakened approaching 3 out where mistake, pulled up before next, in a race won by Wayward Glance (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 10 ran.
Morgan's Bay 5-2 (12-0) (tt) lft in ld 4 out; rdn when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ooson (11-7) at Larkhill 2m 4f ptp gf in Jan, 10 ran.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Soon towards rear, headway 9th, no impression after 3 out, hampered just after next, soon weakened, 8th of 20, 27l behind Brindisi Breeze (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Taminkle (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Held up in touch in rear, weakened 7th, tailed off, 4th of 6, 50l behind Tenby Jewel (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Sep.
Thehillofuisneach (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 7th, behind from next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Cape Tribulation (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Wayward Frolic 10-11 (11-7) Held up; led 13; rdn clr flat, won at Cherrybrook 3m ptp gd in Apr '11 beating Bold Perk (12-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
