towards rear, effort approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, every chance when hung left approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led 2nd to after 3rd, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
keen, chased leaders, led after 3rd to after 6th, weakening when blundered 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
chased leaders, led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, some headway after 6th, never dangerous
behind, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened before next
Wellbeing was useful on his day when with Henry Cecil but has clearly had his problems with the nine-year-old now making only his second start over hurdles for Phillip Hobbs and a safer bet looks to be Rosecliff, who is preferred to Blaeberry. The last mentioned caught the eye of the stewards when staying on into second behind the useful Natal at Taunton but was pulled up there last time and may now be best watched. Colin Tinkler's Call Oscar has shown promise in bumpers and also in novice hurdles but may lack the speed for this course on today's ground. Highland Games was rated 91 on the flat at his best when with Luca Cumani and could be of interest on his hurdling debut for Paul Webber but he may need a stiffer test of stamina, while Wellbeing has an obvious chance on all known form but, as we have said, another absence is of concern for the formerly top-class flat performer. The vote then goes to Andrew Balding's Rosecliff, who was no slouch on the level and has shown enough in two starts over hurdles to suggest that a race of this nature should be within his compass.
Bombaybadboy (NZ) Rodrigo de Triano gelding out of Vuma.
Call Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, with leader, led 3rd, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Mikado (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) gs in Oct.
Creinch 11-2 (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 15, 23l behind Shaka's Pearl (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Habanero 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 18, 25l behind Focus Group (8-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept (Flat).
Highland Games (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Held up mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 27th of 34, well behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
Ile Facile (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Mid-division, steady headway from 5th, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 14, 25l behind Noble Request (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd in Feb.
Introduction 33-1 (10-5) In touch until 3rd, soon behind, 6th of 10, 50l behind Tell The Trees (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Sept '04.
Lucky Turf (IRE) Pulled up in race won by Lord Alphieross at Ballynoe 3m ptp sft in Apr '04, 9 ran.
Miller's Monarch 16-1 (11-0) Went left 1st, tracked leaders till 4th, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Inaro (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Wellbeing 13-8 (11-0) Tracked leader, blundered 2nd, went 2nd 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Roman Ark (11-3) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec '04.
Wenlocks Wonder 25-1 (11-0) In touch until weakened and behind final 3f, 6th of 8, 34l behind Here's Johnny (11-0) at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Blaeberry 4-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear and pulled hard, saddle slipped and pulled up 5 out in race won by Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Jigsaw Jumper (IRE) Shahrastani mare, half-sister to hurdle and bumper winners.
Liberty Run (IRE) 5-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 13, 18l behind Platinum Charmer (8-1) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Nov (Flat).
Rosecliff 4-7fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 6th, strongly pressed when headed and blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Tora Bora (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Caribou (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
