in touch and keen, led 13th, headed next, weakening when mistake 4 out virtually refused and unseated rider last
in touch, led to 12th, headed next, pecked 15th, soon weakened
towards rear, headway 13th, led 14th, headed 15th, ridden 2 out, led again last, ran on
tracked leader, led 3rd, blundered and unseated rider next (water)
tracked leaders, ridden 10th, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, no impression
mid-division, headway 14th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
refused to race
held up, headway 13th, led 15th, ridden when headed approaching last
mid-division, reminders 11th, some progress 13th, pulled and dismounted approaching 3 out
led, headed 3rd, left in lead again 4th, headed 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
never a factor
tracked leaders, mistake 11th and soon lost place
Nonrunner
Optimistic Harry will be a major player if he is fit after his absence, however Pitful Tercah looks interesting on his chasing debut and he gets the nod. Although he has shown little in three starts over hurdles, David Pipe's expensive French recruit was always going to make more of a chaser. This mark of 69 looks sure to entice the backers and off bottom weight he must be given utmost respect. Arceye won a weak race well last time out but his overall record suggest he probably won't follow up, whilst Pip Moss has claims but may just need the run after almost a year off. Optimistic Harry is another returning from an absence but he has shown plenty of ability over both sets of obstacles and should be watched in the market. Norseman Cateline is only average but his trainer is in form, whilst Red Granite ran well in a poor race last time but his looks tougher. The most unexposed horse in the lineup, Pitful Tercah gets the vote.
The Mystery Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, mistake and ridden 8th, weakened 10th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Not For Diamonds (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May, 11 ran.
Missy Moscow (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) With leader, led approaching 5th, headed 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 18l behind The General Lee (11-1) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (5) frm.
Rifleman (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Frankie Figg (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Red Granite 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, blundered and dropped rear 5th, steady progress from 9th, ridden to chase winner from 4 out, kept on but always just held, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Arceye (10-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Optimistic Harry 6-5fav (10-9) Towards rear, headway approaching 9th to chase leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on gamely to lead flat, won at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug '06 beating Komoto (10-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Norseman Cateline (FR) 7-2fav (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Fencote Gold (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Regal Vision (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, lost place after 6th, no chance from 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Caislean Na Deirge (10-13) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Oct, 13 ran.
Earcomesannie (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Held up in rear, hit 12th, headway after 13th, led 14th to 3 out, still every chance 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 8l behind Dun Drinan (11-5) at Warwick 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Arceye 7-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 10th, led 5 out, soon ridden, kept on, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Red Granite (11-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Pip Moss 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Superrollercoaster (11-8) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Solemn Vow 11-2 (10-5) Behind, some headway 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 11, 6l behind Blazing Hills (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gf.
Pitful Tercah (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off 4 out, last of 12, well behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Runshan (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Pulled hard early and chased leader, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 29l behind Irish Raptor (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Oct '06.
