in touch, mistake 13th, blundered 15th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, pushed along 8th, blundered and lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
always towards rear
prominent, led 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
behind, ridden and headway after 3 out, 4th and no chance when mistake last
held up, headway 12th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led approaching 4th to 10th, hit 11th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
led to approaching 4th, prominent, ridden 14th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind
took keen hold, headway 3rd, led 2 out, ridden and hung right flat, ran on
Bubble Boy, Moonlit Harbour and Pro Dancer are among the shortlisted runners and we shall stick with Bubble Boy. A switch to faster ground seemed to work the oracle at Worcester and if Brendan Powell's charge has left behind some patchy form on a softer surface, it would be foolish to desert him under a 7lb penalty. Moonlit Harbour has always promised plenty but has sadly never quite achieved it. Proven on the surface and from a yard in form, there is every reason to suggest that a big run is expected. Pro Dancer is off top-weight but is far from a forlorn shout. He had decent form over hurdles and put a fair effort last time out. Caribbean Cove won at Leicester on debut for Venetia Williams but failed to cut the mustard next time out. Life is proving harder off today's mark. Magic Of Sydney is lightly raced and would be a player if not succumbing to jumping problems. A tough race but Bubble Boy impressed last time and he has few excuses on this occasion.
Pro Dancer (USA) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Gan Eagla (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Jackson (FR) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division, pushed along 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 21 ran.
Zaffamore (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, chased leader 10th to 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 10l behind Yardbird (11-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 14th, led 4 out, soon ridden and clear last, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating The Villager (11-6) by 9l, 11 ran.
Moonlit Harbour 3-1jt-fav (10-11) In touch, headway 5 out, chased winner next, outpaced before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Blairgowrie (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 27l behind New Perk (9-13) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Magic of Sydney (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Prominent, jumped slowly 9th, outpaced when hit 4 out, no danger after, 4th of 10, 25l behind Sonevafushi (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Ankles Back (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Led to 9th, led again 12th to 14th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind Strong Magic (10-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Nov.
Ultimate Limit 5-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 11th, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 28l behind Florida Dream (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Dec.
Tribal Dancer (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Reluctant to race and well behind, mistake and rider lost iron 2nd, headway 10th, 6 lengths down in 5th when ran out 13th ran out at the 13th in race won by Lambrini Bianco (10-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar, 5 ran.
