took keen hold, led soon after 1st, not fluent next, headed 3 out, soon weakened
jumped right 1st, held up in touch, not fluent 7th and reminders, chased winner after 3 out, challenging 2 out, ridden and switched left before last, edged left and no extra flat
held up in rear, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, weakened 5th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, jumped slowly 1st, soon headed, chased leader until ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, reminder 5th, hit next, weakened 7th
tracked leaders, raced keenly, weakened 3 out
held up twoards rear, pushed along after 4th, not fluent next, weakened 7th, tailed off
NOBLE ARAN may be able to make a successful bow over hurdles but Lake Legend will be a tough nut to crack and Helpston can't be dismissed. The selection shaped with plenty of promise in a Uttoxeter bumper and his connections haven't wasted any time in sending over hurdles. That's no great surprise as this stoutly bred gelding's future was always going to lie over obstacles. Quintus is a winner in France and enters calculations but it's easier to get a handle on the form of Lake Legend whose trainer should have a line on the selection as he trained one of those to finish behind at Uttoxeter. Lake Legend beat a couple of decent yardsticks at Huntingdon but it's a slight concern that his trainer stated that he'd be even better on better ground which he won't get here. Helpston made a really pleasing hurdling debut at Lingfield behind a hotpot and his chance should not be underestimated with his yard amongst the winners. The remainder look up against it on all known form and can't be fancied to get the better of our selection, Noble Aran.
Quintus (FR) (10-3) Won at Vichy in Sept 2m3f110y hdl gd-sft beating Quel Beau Marc (10-3) by a head, 3 ran.
Lake Legend 8-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway before 5th, chased leaders 3 out, led after last, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd beating Ogee (11-5) by 2l, 14 ran.
All For A Star (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 1st, led 6th, headed after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Get Off The Table (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Jaquouille (11-6) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hts chs gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Helpston 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, chased winner approaching last, plugged on, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Charity Lane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Noble Aran (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) With leader, led 7f out, ridden, edged right and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Portside (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, never able to get on terms, 6th of 13, 30l behind Mont Present (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd.
Rock Salmon 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 4f out, soon hung left, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 27l behind Shinrock Paddy (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) sft.
Sun God 150-1 (10-11) Always rear, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
