tracked leaders, led approaching last, idled, held on under pressure
held up towards rear, under pressure 3 out, some headway next, never dangerous
behind, mistake 4th, soon beaten
mid-division, mistake 6th, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up approaching 2 out
led, under pressure after 3 out, blundered next, headed approaching last, stayed on gamely towards finish
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leader, mistake 8th, soon under pressure, weakened 12th
held up, keen hold, unseated rider 8th
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders, stayed on flat
behind, headway 12th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well towards finish
In this ultra competitive contest COOL ROXY gets the selection but only just ahead of Palarshan and Jericho III. A bit of a course specialist at Fakenham the selection is more than consistent landing at least a place in each of his last three outings. He tends to win of marks of around 123 and less but comes here with an extra seven pounds to carry after his latest success at Fakenham. That said he is just three pounds heavier than when he was a very close second, just three quarters of a length, behind Comba Womba in a hurdle race last year. The ground will suit and he receives weight from a lot of the main protagonists. Palarshan makes his seasonal debut here after a solid chasing campaign last term. Competitive in graded company, second in the Racing Post Plate he'll be off a competitive mark here and had he already had a run this season would probably get the nod. Jericho III is another making an reappearance but was showing a marked improvement towards the end of last season and looks competitive off this rating. Former high class chaser, Rathcar Beau has to be given a small chance after showing a little return to form when third behind War of Attrition in the Thurles trip last time while Bishop's Bridge, though carrying top weight, should be one of the sharpest here but Cool Roxy has the vote.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner 7th until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 38l behind Ashley Brook (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Palarshan (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway and in touch 11th, disputed 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra run-in, 5th of 29, 18l behind Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Oneway (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, hung right 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 41l behind Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar.
Rathgar Beau (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch towards rear in 5th, 4th after 4 out, 3rd straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 6, 13l behind War Of Attrition (11-6) at Thurles 2m 6f chs sft.
Kenzo Iii (FR) 2-1fav (11-2) Led, clear to 8th, headed 13th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Fundamentalist (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
El Vaquero (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear and not fluent, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Fundamentalist (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct.
Cool Roxy 11-4 (11-9) Made all, left with uncontested lead throughout, unchallenged, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Oct beating Ballybough Jack (11-9) by 24l, 6 ran.
Jericho III (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Fundamentalist (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Kelrev (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Snoopy Loopy (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul, 16 ran.
Kitski (FR) 25-1 (10-3) Always behind, jumped badly right throughout, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fundamentalist (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
