chased leaders, went 3rd at 6th, weakened after 3 out, blundered last
always towards rear, blundered 2 out
always behind
took keen hold, always behind
chased leader to 4th, soon lost place
keen hold in mid-division, hit 4th, headway to chase leaders 6th, weakened soon after 3 out
prominent, chased leader, driven 3 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd well before 2 out, upsides last, led run-in, pushed out, comfortably
never reached beyond mid-division, hit 3 out
led, not fluent 4 out, driven after 3 out, strongly pressed last, headed run-in, no extra
held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, kept on well from next
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 3 out
jumped poorly, took keen hold and soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, under pressure and weakened before 3 out
Art Market is not as good as he once was on the level but still retains ability and made a pleasing enough debut over hurdles earlier this month so has to be respected but Gary Moore's gelding may have to settle for a minor role, with preference for Soulard who gets the vote ahead of Rapid Increase. The last mentioned is a well-related newcomer from Jonjo O'Neill's stable and would not need to be out of the ordinary to take a hand in the finish here. Brave Bugsy and Mr Joe Platinum have both shown signs of ability in bumpers but face no easy task first time out over fences, while Count Kristo is capable but has proven to be hard to win with over both hurdles and fences since being switched to the winter game. The vote then goes to John Spearing's Soulard who was capable on the flat and has shown a consistent level of form since being sent hurdling.
Art Market (CAN) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Zamboozle (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind Iroquois Warrior (11-0) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gf.
Count Kristo 14-1 (11-4) Held up, blundered 8th, behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Templer (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept, 6 ran.
Ground Patrol 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Mr Joe Platinum (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up last, headway 7f out, no impression from 3f out, 9th of 11, 42l behind Iroquois Warrior (11-0) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gf.
Napoletano (GER) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened 4 out, 10th of 20, 43l behind Mexican Bob (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Ohana 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 47l behind Mister Right (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Rapid Increase (IRE) Sonus gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Massasoit.
Smokey The Bear 50-1 (10-12) Held up last, ridden and some headway after 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 16l behind Dusty Dane (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo hdl (4) gd in May '06.
Soulard (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Zero (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Boot 'n Toot 4-5fav (9-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside from 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Atlantic Gamble (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f clm (6) pol in Sept (Flat).
Inching West 28-1 (9-10) Towards rear, blundered 1st, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Temper Lad (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Minstrel Flyer (IRE) 150-1 (10-4) Towards rear, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mexican Bob (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) sft, 20 ran.
Starofthemorning (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 15, 37l behind Mister Right (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
