held up, ridden when hampered 12th, tailed off when went left and brought down 3 out
held up, led approaching 4 out, joined and ridden when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 10th, weakened 15th, fell heavy 3 out
in touch, keen hold, mistake 8th, led 12th, headed approaching 4 out, joined leader when mistake 3 out, left in lead and blundered badly last
led, headed 7th, chasing leaders when unseated rider 11th (water)
held up, ridden 11th, fell heavy 12th
held up, mistake 9th, ridden 12th, tailed off from 13th, left poor 3rd 3 out
always in rear, detached when mistake 9th, pulled up before 12th
with clear leader and keen, reminders 5th, led 7th, ridden when headed 12th, weakened 14th, tailed off and continued
in touch, jumped left 7th, chased leaders 5 out, jumped left from next, weakened 4 out, left poor 2nd from 3 out
Only three worth considering here and they are Harringay, Menchikov and Earth Man. Nicky Henderson's runner is selected. He missed last season with injury but had made a pleasing start to his career prior to that interruption. Whilst he's entitled to come on for the run, fitness is rarely a concern for runners from this yard and he's sure to have been well schooled and the trainer's impressive strike rate here offers cause for encouragement. Harringay has the edge of experience and many observers thought that the step up to this trip for her latest outing could prove to be key for this mare. Things went awry that day and she has to be respected but is one I'd rather be against. Earth Man hasn't been easy to train but he's a useful performer on his day and his latest run over hurdles is very solid form. His yard continue to carry all before them and he's an obvious player but we'll take a chance with Menchikov.
Aliby (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, hung left and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Pagan Rules (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Earth Man (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and chasing leaders when slightly hampered 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Russian Trigger (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Ellies Horse (IRE) 150-1 (9-7) Led, headed approaching 12th, ridden 14th, weakened next, 8th of 10, 23l behind Mcevoy (11-1) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Menchikov (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, outpaced from next, soon struggling, last of 4, well behind According To John (11-6) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr '06.
Perseverance (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hit 2nd, ridden and lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Honour High (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Port Of Mogan (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Behind, hampered 2nd and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Hello Bud (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Rules Apply (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and lost place 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lodge Lane (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
Supreme Marque (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Behind from 4th, soon tailed off, last of 5, well behind Bonchester Bridge (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden after 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Robin De Sherwood (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Harringay 5-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, challenged 8th, led 11th until pulled up at the 13th in race won by Cathedral Rock (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
