in touch, headway and effort 4 out, challenged and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
with leader, led narrowly 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up, driven and headway approaching 4 out, outpaced next, weakened last
mid-division, lost place when blundered 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, disputed lead 10th, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well flat
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, hit next, outpaced 5 out, weakened from next
mid-division, headway 5 out, effort on inside next, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd after last, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place 12th, headway 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat, never troubled leaders
behind, outpaced when hampered 11th, pulled up before 13th
held up on outside, fell 11th
behind, mistake 10th, struggling 12th, tailed off 4 out
mid-division on outside, hit 9th, headway 11th, ridden and effort 3 out, kept on same pace
led to 10th, chased leaders, outpaced 13th, soon lost place, rallied 2 out, kept on flat, no impression
ACCORDING TO JOHN is the pick in this affair with Coe and Toby Jug others to make appeal on the formbook. Nicky Richards' inmate was tried in pretty hot company at the back end of last term but the fast ground was likely to have been against him. That has facilitated a drop down the weights and having crept in off just 10st2lb this afternoon, he looks potentially very well treated. Coe stays this trip with few issues. He could have been better suited by more give underfoot though his yard have shown signs of a return to form. Toby Jug has been a credit to new connections though the value of his Cheltenham form is suspect as the race had just three runners and the winner has been turned over since. Beat The Boys won over three miles at Chepstow though disappointed in the Badger Ales at Wincanton. Zitenka was something of a surprise at 16/1 at Wetherby last time out but there was no fluke about that victory. Chief Dan George has always been held in high regard by his stable and is one to note in the market. Nozic has traditionally run well in the earlier part of the season and is effectively just 1lb higher than his last winning mark. The Last Derby took the United House Gold Cup at Ascot at mega odds. He made his racefitness count on that day and the handicapper has put him up 10lb for that success. Golden Flight was a top grade chaser in France so this is actually a drop in class in relation to some of his other exploits. Horner Woods steps up in trip and as with all Jessica Harrington raiders, has to be treated with the utmost respect. A fiendishly competitive event in which According To John seems to have most positives in his favour.
Nozic (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 29, well behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Toby Jug 5-2 (11-7) With leader, carried slightly right 11th, narrow lead on inside 3 out, headed well before last, ridden and rallied flat, always held, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Pettifour (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft.
Horner Woods (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 17, 25l behind Thousand Stars (10-1) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl gd in Oct.
The Last Derby (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Held up in mid-division, headway and pushed along to chase leaders after 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, clear last, driven out, won at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct beating Aimigayle (10-7) by 5l, 16 ran.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, mistake 5 out, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Ellerslie George (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs, 18 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, stayed on to be remote 3rd, 3rd of 7, 36l behind Knockara Beau (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (2) sft.
Golden Flight (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Ellerslie George (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs, 18 ran.
Coe (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, took closer order 9th, not fluent next, left in lead 12th, headed 5 out, chased winner from 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Never So Blue (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Jass 28-1 (11-12) In touch, led 2nd, headed 5th, led again 7th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 14l behind Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Selection Box (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Hampered and brought down 1st, in a race won by Beroni (10-7) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 hvy, 21 ran.
Zitenka (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 12th, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge 4 out, led after next, 5 lengths clear last, ridden out flat, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Belon Gale (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders 3 out, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat, 5th of 14, 4l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
According To John (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Held up, pushed along 5 out, weakened when in remote 3rd approaching 2 out, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Never So Blue (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
More Likely 16-1 (11-4) Led to 8th, with leader, led again 13th, headed 2 out, soon lost place, weakened last, 6th of 14, 15l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
