prominent, hit 7th, weakening when pecked 3 out, in 5th and well held when fell heavily last
led to 4th, weakened from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
towards rear, weakening when hit 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
in rear, pecked 1st, struggling when hit 9th, pulled up before 5 out
towards rear, reminders after 8th, struggling from next, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, mistake 4th, driven and outpaced 10th, plugged on from 3 out, chased winner after last, always well held, lost 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, headway from 11th, led after 3 out, ridden clear after 2 out, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, took closer order in 2nd approaching 9th, led approaching 5 out, headed approaching 4 out, ridden before next, kept on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up in touch, chased leaders from 6th, lost place and reminders before 9th, pulled up before 4 out
with leader, led 4th, headed approaching 5 out, ridden to regain lead approaching next, headed after 3 out, weakened last 100 yards
Negus De Beaumont was a very promising hurdler in 2006/7 but has had very little racing subsequently. He looked on the way back to form when runner-up to Captain Americo over the C&D last week and should go well. Or De Grugy, who jumps and stays well, may be a few pounds high in the weights while Minster Shadow is 6lb higher than when only fourth in this last year. Captain Tidd's career has been plagued by poor jumping though he's useful when getting it together. But this can go to CAVERS GLEN, who showed that stamina is his strongpoint when landing a minor handicap at Aintree in November and looks the type to continue on the upgrade. Fiftyfive Degrees was in very good form at this time a year ago and will be better for his run at Kelso in November.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered and lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Flying Squad (9-11) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 10, 19l behind Sagalyrique (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Minster Shadow 25-1 (10-0) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders, jumped right 4th, hampered 13th, 4th and in touch when fell 16th (valentines), in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Captain Tidds (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tended to jump left, held up, headway 4th, disputing 3rd after 4out, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, went left and blundered next, tailed off, last of 6, 37l behind Noble Crusader (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Negus de Beaumont (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, raced wide, ridden after 5 out, went 2nd last, kept on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Captain Americo (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chase (4) sft.
Morgan Be 22-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, reminders throughout, never dangerous, 7th of 16, well behind Himalayan Trail (11-7) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Apr.
Cavers Glen 5-1 (10-4) Always prominent, led 4 out, hard driven from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Fine Parchment (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
See You There (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch in rear, jumped slowly 6th, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 16th, left 3rd 3 out, weakening when mistake next, 3rd of 6, well behind Belon Gale (11-12) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Fiftyfive Degrees (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) In touch, dropped to mid-division 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Captain Americo (11-4) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Daldini 10-1 (11-7) Led, headed 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure, weakened last, 4th of 9, 17l behind Raise You Five (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
