held up mid-division, ridden and headway 2 out, one pace from next
in touch, every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on from last, no chance with winner
held up, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, mistake last, one pace
held up, quickly pulled up after 2nd
towards rear, headway 5th, led between last 2, stayed on well
chased leaders, weakened after 2 out
held up behind, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up, struggling from 5th, soon tailed off
held up, ridden after 5th, weakened next
Nonrunner
Lahib The Fifth is capable and will have given trainer Nicky Richards some encouragement following a better effort at Hexham last time but he needs to improve again to get the better of TOMMY TOBOUGG, who gets the vote ahead of Harcas. Martin Todhunter's gelding disappointed back on the flat last time but earlier form in a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield reads pretty well in this company and, on that effort, he has solid claims. Goldan Jess has been well held in his last two starts over hurdles and again back on the flat last time and of more interest may be Grand Opera. Gordon Elliott's gelding ran no sort of race when last seen at Cork in April but is likely to do better after the break and he cannot be discounted on a day where his handler has so many with chances. Redbridge Radar, another Irish challenger, needs to step up on the form of recent starts and a safer option seems to be Tommy Tobougg. Lucinda Russell's gelding comes here fit from the flat and, off just a 2lb higher mark than when a close second at Kelso in May, he has an obvious chance.
Grand Opera (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 16th of 22, well behind Bar The Rest (10-11) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-102 gd in Apr.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Mid division, lost place approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Hunting Tower (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 12 ran.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In rear, tracking leaders 6th, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 13, 26l behind Cooksgrove Lady (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sell (5) gd in Jun.
Wyn Dixie (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, mistake next, lost place after 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Stormy Beech (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec '07, 8 ran.
Harcas (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, rallied approaching last, kept on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Hunting Tower (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Dr Kildare 150-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, lost touch 3 out, no chance when went left and mistake 2 out, 6th of 8, 33l behind Trenchant (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Guerilla (AUS) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 7th and soon pushed along, soon weakened, eased approaching 2 out, 12th of 18, well behind Intense Suspense (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Freedom Flying 22-1 (10-6) Mid-division, pushed along 5 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 17l behind Uptown Lad (9-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Shahramore 33-1 (9-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, well behind Veiled Applause (11-10) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Tommy Tobougg 7-2 (10-1) Tracked leader, led after 4 out until headed 2 out, ridden and left leader last, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Pete (10-13) at Kelso 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in May.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 33-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, held up behind, blundered 8th, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Nicozetto (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Baby Sister 16-1 (9-11) In rear, always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Cooksgrove Lady (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sell (5) gd in Jun.
Royal Game 16-1 (10-9) In rear, moderate headway 7th, chased leaders 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 13, 33l behind Cooksgrove Lady (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sell (5) gd in Jun.
Redbridge Radar (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Isabellareine (11-9) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-102 gf in Jun, 19 ran.
