chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and some headway 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, every chance when stumbled last, one pace
in touch, headway 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, hung left approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened soon after
held up, fell 4th
held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led last, soon hung left, driven out
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
prominent, ridden after 2 out, weakened last
held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened after last
held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders and keen, led 3 out, ridden next, headed when mistake last, soon weakened
behind, fell last
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on from next, no impression
always behind
behind, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
A renewal perhaps lacking the class of old but certainly competitive to the last. Blazing Bailey, Senorita Rumbelita and Into The Shadows look the trio to concentrate on and our vote is for Into The Shadows. Keith Reveley's mare looks to have been very much campaigned with this race in mind and off a mark of 119 - this could be an ideal plot for the race. Rated in the mid-80's on the flat, she beat a useful sort from the Nicky Henderson yard at Ayr and can be expected to be up with the early pace. Blazing Bailey has improved out of sight since switching to the winter game. Third in the Triumph Hurdle and second at the Aintree festival, this is a third big race in the space of a matter of months. Senorita Rumbelita has enjoying bullying the fields in mares only contests The track should suit although this race is traditionally ran at a breakneck pace and that would be of some concern. Lucy Wadham has nursed United back to health and the one-time Champion hurdle candidate has a chance to shine here. His breeding suggests that the ground should not be a problem but his outings have largely been made with plenty of cut underfoot. Acambo was the one-time favourite for the County Hurdle but his season has been disappointing given the regard he was held in at Pond House. He has definite ability but has tended to run in snatches when the pressure is on. Callow Lake hails from the yard that were successful with Macs Joy in this contest a couple of seasons ago. The early market moves are watched. The booking of Ruby Walsh aboard Emmpat looks to be particularly interesting. He won two minor races during last summer and should have few problems with the prevailing conditions. Motorway is a speedy sort who could be of interest at longer odds. A winner of four starts, he could be a player in this race if his jumping holds up. Into The Shadows is less exposed than most but that appears to have been a deliberate ploy and we shall act accordingly.
Blazing Bailey 7-2jt-fav (10-7) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Natal (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
United (GER) 8-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, hit 5th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, 10l behind Noble Request (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Callow Lake (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 10th approaching 3 out, improved into 4th next, soon challenged and every chance, no extra close home, 2nd of 24, 1 1/2l behind Wishwillow Lord (9-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr.
Caracciola (GER) 11-2 (10-10) Mid-division, effort and lost place 7th, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 30l behind Nyrche (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Senorita Rumbalita 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4 out, hit next, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 16, 21l behind Straw Bear (11-3) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Nawamees (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) In rear, jumped slowly 10th, never dangerous, 7th of 10, well behind Dark'n Sharp (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 12th of 24, 17l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Estepona 15-8 (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, ran on to lead run-in, readily, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jan beating Premier Dane (10-7) by 3l, 13 ran.
Acambo (GER) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, driven approaching 2 out, soon lost place, 23rd of 29, 24l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Motorway (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, driven and not quicken between last 2, held when hit last, 5th of 17, 7l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Behind, badly hampered 3rd, jumped right from 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Papini (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Glimmer of Light (9-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr.
Overstrand (IRE) 100-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next, 8th of 9, 17l behind Noble Request (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Salut Saint Cloud 14-1 (10-3) Hled up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4th, tracked leader before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven between last 2, headed last, soon one pace, 2nd of 17, 4l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Emmpat (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, closer in moderate 4th after 4 out, 5th and no impression under pressure from before straight, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 35l behind Over The First (11-2) at Cork 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
Into The Shadows Evensfav (10-5) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, hit last, hung left and led run-in, driven out, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr beating Tessanoora (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Saif Sareea 20-1 (10-0) Keen, in touch, mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when hit last, 8th of 17, 23l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Ken's Dream 11-10fav (11-3) Soon tracked clear leader, closed going well before 5th, led soon after 3 out, soon well clear, blundered last, eased near finish, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Classic Role (11-3) by 18l, 9 ran.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead before last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr beating Swift Swallow (10-11) by 2l, 18 ran.
Pseudonym (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, blundered 2nd, headway to join leaders, 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after, 4th of 5, 28l behind Chiaro (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Merryvale Man 14-1 (11-2) Led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Elegant Clutter (10-12) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
