held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, chased winner soon after 3 out, driven to challenge and chance last, edged left, no extra final 100yds
held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd between last 2
keen hold in mid-division, weakened soon after 3 out
held up in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off
steady rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, 7th and no chance when fell last
pressed leader to well before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, struggling after 4 out, jumped badly right 3 out, pulled up
chased leaders, went 2nd well before 3 out, stayed on inside in straight, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven and stayed on well run-in
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
In the opener, Albinus is selected ahead of Silverburn and Tagula Blue. Tagula Blue improved to win well at Fontwell last time but a penalty will make life tougher. Listed-placed on the Flat, where he achieved a rating of 104, Albinus is a very interesting hurdling recruit despite his long absence from the track. Much as Silverburn pulled too hard for his own good at Aintree last time, he still ran well and, a winning bumper performer, he looks a danger to all today. Climate Change also has absence to defy but, just beaten off a mark off 88 over nine furlongs on the Flat, this lightly raced runner could go well. A 73-rated winning middle-distance performer on the Flat, Dundry is another to consider, while Mission To Mars was rated in the 80s when winning an all-weather handicap back in 2004. Finally, a look at the betting re Guymur is recommended, Rustler is a potential improver for Nicky Henderson, as is Solarias Quest for Alan King; however, for the selection, we will stick with Albinus.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, smooth headway to lead 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Tavalu (10-10) by 11l, 11 ran.
Albinus (9-6) In touch to 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 11l behind Gonbarda (8-2) at Dusseldorf 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Jul '05 (Flat).
Climate Change (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Led 2f, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Kerashan (9-0) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Oct '05 (Flat).
Dundry 9-2 (9-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 14, 15l behind At The Money (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Guymur (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, going well approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 48l behind Circassian (11-0) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Kaballero (GER) 8-1 (10-12) Led, headed 2 out, weakened, 7th of 13, 25l behind Nobelix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Keen, chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, 2nd and 7 lengths down when fell 4 out in race won by Roll Along (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (2) gs, 7 ran.
Millards Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, hampered 4th, ridden and struggling 7th, 6th of 11, 26l behind Ringaroses (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Mission To Mars 11-4fav (10-0) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong, weakened close home, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Mr Mischief (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (C) fbs in Mar '04 (Flat).
Rustler 5-2 (10-12) Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 14l behind Court Ruler (10-12) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) gs.
Silverburn (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Steadied after 2nd, smooth headway approaching 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, one pace, no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Wichita Lineman (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Solarias Quest 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened from 6th, tailed off pulled up at the last in race won by Slew Charm (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
