chased winner throughout, tried to close approaching 10th, no impression from 14th, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, headway to poor 3rd at 12th until after 14th, soon struggling, tailed off
behind until fell 12th
close up in chasing group, lost place when slipped up on bend after 9th
prominent in chasing group, driven in modest 4th before 14th, struggling 4 out, tailed off
in rear when unseated rider 7th
blundered 1st, well in rear, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
held up in rear, fell 11th
raced wide, close up in chasing group, mistake 8th, kept on into distant 3rd last, tailed off
held up towards rear, some headway and in touch in chasing group when blundered and unseated rider 12th
prominent in chasing group, struggling 14th, tailed off
towards rear, headway and driven along 12th, poor 3rd after 14th, struggling after, tailed off
in rear, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 12th
made all, soon well clear, given breather 10th, drew away again soon after 14th, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
Some familiar names go to post for this heat and BANNOW STRAND could be the one to emerge on top with Fundamentalist and Take The Stand amongst the dangers. A number of this field were very smart performers in their prime under Rules and Fundamentalist should certainly be good enough to win races in this sphere if a change of routine has reinvigorated his enthusiasm for the game. There's no doubting the enthusiasm of veterans Murphy's Cardinal and Take The Stand and the latter makes the most appeal of that pair whilst fellow teenager Lord Of Illusion proved capable on his day. Cool Running has a decent strike rate under Rules and makes his debut for a feared combination in this sphere but preference is for Bannow Strand. He never reached the heights expected of him after his debut win in an Irish point but he was no back number at his best and has been in good form between the flags of late which is enough for Bannow Strand to receive the vote.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed 10th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Lysander (9-13) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Murphy's Cardinal (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Held up, hampered 7th, jumped right 13th, headway 16th, 5th and in touch when blundered 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 24, 33l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Take The Stand (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Prominent, joined leader 10th, led briefly before 4 out, hit next, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 31l behind Robbers Glen (12-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft.
Tarsus 7-1 (12-7) W ldrs til wknd 15, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Warsaw Pact (12-7) at Erw Lon 3m ptp sft.
Grey Kid (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Poor 5th when pu last, in a race won by Cowboyboots (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft, 9 ran.
Lady Myfanwy 5-2 (11-4) Held up, hampered by loose horse after 2nd, headway 3rd, ridden after 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Bob Hall (12-4) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd.
Bannow Strand (IRE) (12-0) Hdwy 11; went 2nd & ev ch flat; nt qckn nr fin, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Trade Off (12-7) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gd in Jun.
Cannon Bridge (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Held up, headway 12th, hampered 2 out and lost ground on leaders, hanging left, rallied before last, still hanging, kept on to close on idling winner towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Lady Myfanwy (10-4) at Stratford 2m 7f ldy hts chs (5) gd in May.
Cool Running (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Northern Alliance (11-2) at Listowel 3m Ext hcp chs in Sep, 18 ran.
Liberty Rock (FR) (10-12) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f hdl sft in May '07 beating Irun For Fun (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened 12th, pulled up and dismounted 13th, in a race won by Mr Ed (11-7) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Musique En Tete (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Ur 4, in a race won by Chesnut Annie (10-7) at Erw Lon 3m ptp sft, 5 ran.
Chesnut Annie (IRE) 8-11 (10-7) Made all; lft solo 12, won at Erw Lon 3m ptp sft, 5 ran.
