in touch, ran on well to lead flat
held up, headway 7th, led 4 out, challenged last, faded and headed flat
prominent, led 3rd, headed 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division and mistakes, behind from 7th
mid-division and mistake 1st, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out, keeping on moderately and mistake 2 out
led and mistake 1st, headed 3rd, ridden 4 out and weakened
mid-division, ridden 9th and outpaced, kept on, not trouble leaders
with leaders until lost place 8th
Nonrunner
Gansy, Noble Ben and Teamgeist look the three to concentrate on here with the vote going to Gansey. The selection won a bumper in good style last time out when beating Imperial Silver, he is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Noble Ben rates the main danger as he has experience on his side and was a fair third behind Ronald Jack last time but he has already given the impression he would be suited by a longer trip and he looks opposable on that basis. Teamgeist was second behind Sydney when last seen but he may need the run after a 285 day break. Of the remainder Galoshes won a bumper on his only start to date but that was on heavy ground and this faster surface has to be a concern and with this in mind for the winner we return to Gansey.
Gansey (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, hampered bend after 5f, headway over 3f out, led 3f out, soon clear, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Mar beating Imperial Silver (10-11) by 14l, 13 ran.
Noble Ben (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up and keen, headway 10th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Ronald Jack (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd in Jun.
Orfeo Conti (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Led to 6th, prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 22l behind Hills Of Aran (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Red Rattle (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent in main group, badly hampered 1st, hampered 7th, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off when mistakes 2 out and last, 7th of 11, well behind Carys's Lad (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Shortgate Lane (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 6f out, soon behind, 11th of 13, well behind True Dove (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Jul '06.
Strong Coffee 13-2 (11-3) Always prominent, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Gypsy Scholar (10-10) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Teamgeist (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 5th, ridden to lead after 2 out, weakening flat, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sydney (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
The Speaker (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, weakened 7th and tailed off, 4th of 8, well behind Old Benny (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Wheres Johnny 16-1 (11-4) In touch, weakened soon after halfway, 7th of 13, 36l behind Aya (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in May.
Willow Hall 100-1 (10-9) Always last, hit 2nd, lost touch 6th, soon tailed off, last of 5, well behind Ocean du Moulin (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Galoshes 25-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 9f out, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Jan beating Fermat (10-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Aimigayle 14-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 3rd, every chance 3 out, beaten when left 3rd, mistake 2 out, jumped right last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Calusa Caldera (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Announcing Alice (IRE) Presenting mare, half-sister to winning chaser Back For The Craic.
