in touch, tracked leading pair 8th, disputing 2nd after 2 out until approaching last, eased when no chance with winner flat
raced freely, led, headed after 2 out, weakened tamely between last 2
always behind, tailed off 7th
tracked leader, ridden to dispute after 2 out, definite advantage approaching last, drew clear flat
raced on inside, chased leaders in 4th, driven after 2 out, went moderate 3rd last, no chance with front pair
took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
raced wide, held up, ridden between last 2, no real impression
held up, well behind when mistake 8th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Top weight Corrib Eclipse can win this with Melba Toast and Leo McGarry posing as the biggest dangers. The selection comes from the Ian Williams yard who has had a year to forget but the tables have turned and with plenty of winners coming on the all weather for the yard this past month the ball can continue to role. Corrib Eclipse has not been seen out over jumps since winning back in May. He has won a bumper in the past and scored on the flat too. So he is versitile and with McCoy booked to ride we feel he is the one to side with. Melba Toast has little experience with only three runs under his belt. He caught the eye when running a personal best when second to Leading Authority at Exeter last time out and there should be more to come. Leo McGarry is only a four year old but as a result gets the weight concessions as a result. He is a winner twice on the flat with numerous fine placings and he has run well in defeat on his last two hurdle races to suggest he is a certain winner in the future. But for this contest we will side with Corrib Eclipse as the likely winner.
Shardakhan (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up tracking leaders, headway to chase leader 2 out, led well before last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft beating Supreme Huntress (11-5) by 18l, 8 ran.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 18, 5l behind West End King (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (5) sft.
Lord Norman (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up, driven halfway, plugged on, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Debauchery (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft.
Melba Toast 40-1 (10-12) Prominent, pushed along 5th, ridden and hit 6th, led briefly last, ran on not pace of winner, flat, 2nd of 17, nk behind Leading Authority (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Push The Port (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 9, 22l behind Glinton (10-13) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Quarterback (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 19, 20l behind Alternator (11-0) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 30l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Top Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 7l behind It's Music (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Mar '05.
Corrib Eclipse 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, left in lead approaching 4th, hit 7th, driven 3 out, clear 2 out, won at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Original Thought (11-0) by 8l, 10 ran.
Whatalotwegot (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, jumped left 8th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 2 out and weakened, 7th of 15, 29l behind Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Leo McGarry (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied after next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Sa Nau (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs.
