in touch until hit 5th, soon hard driven and never fluent, never on terms after
chased clear leader until 6th, stumbled badly 7th, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with very easy winner
held up, stumbled 7th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, soon clear, mistakes 2nd and 5th, headed 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened
jumped well, held up, smooth headway from 5th, led 3 out, soon clear, heavily eased run-in
chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out until last, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Or Apple's comes here in search of his hat-trick and he gets the nod, with Corrib Drift and Baodai the best of the rest. The selection won both of his chase starts in France and looks an exciting recruit to an in-form yard. The ground should be no problem for him, and he doesn't look to be on too stiff a handicap mark for his British debut. Limited Edition has been off the track for almost two years, but he had previously shown some very smart hurdles form. It can be assumed that he will come on for this run, but he would not have been persevered with if he was devoid of ability so he must rate a danger. Corrib Drift had looked progressive in novice handicaps, however this ground is not going to suit so for that reason he is passed over. As is Baodai, who showed more last time out when a good third behind Fast Forward and Witness Run at Ascot. That looks decent form in the context of this race so he must rate a danger, however we will stick with David Pipe's French import, Or Apple's, to land the spoils.
Master Albert (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance when blundered 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 7, 6l behind Inch Pride (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Limited Edition (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 3rd, outpaced soon after 3 out, weakened under pressure before next, 4th of 7, 13l behind Sea Captain (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb '05.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, chased leaders 5th until 10th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Sha Bihan (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Or Apple's (FR) (10-7) won at Lyon Parilly 2m 1f 4yo chs gs in Oct beating Grandemaison (10-1) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Baodai (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 9th, not fluent next and headed, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Fast Forward (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Towards rear and keen, joined leader 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 11, 28l behind Ironside (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Jacksons Pier (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up, led 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 10, 40l behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Magico (NZ) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 7th, headed 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, well behind Mokum (10-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Corrib Drift (USA) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, chased winner 4 out to next, one pace when not fluent 2 out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Tommy Spar (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Aug.
