behind, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
behind, headway and in touch 7th, weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led 13th, headed when hit 2 out, weakened last
prominent to 11th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mistake and behind, lost touch halfway, tailed off when fell 2 out
led, headed 13th, tracked leader, led again before 2 out, clear when jumped slowly last, ridden and held on flat
behind, mistake 13th, never dangerous
held up, headway 15th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 13th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, held towards finish
chased leaders, kept on same pace from 4 out, no impression
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, lost place 13th, soon behind
in touch, outpaced 4 out, headway under pressure 3 out, kept on
mid-division, lost place 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
A big exposed bunch here and Looking Forward gets the nod ahead of Four County Lad, while Carry Duff and Whistle Blowing would not be major shock winners. The selection, who stays well and acts on a fast surface, came back to form at Newcastle last time when just being run out of second close home. He generally jumps well and is capable of winning from this mark in what is not a hot race. Four County Lad will be popular after a comfortable selling hurdle win last time. He has been tried over fences before without success and with more experienced rivals in the field he does not look a good thing back in handicap company. Carry Duff has not been seen for over a year, but he is sure to have been well schooled and comes from a yard in great form, so check out the market for a guide to his chances. Whistle Blowing comes from a shrewd handler but even the McCain yard has failed to break the gelding's maiden tag, and preference is for Looking Forward.
Carryduff 80-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Tidal Bay (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct '06, 18 ran.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Hit 1st, took keen hold, settled in rear, struggling from 13th, tailed off, 5th of 6, 24l behind Coolers Quest (10-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Four County Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Pressed leader, led 7th, cleared 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gd beating Sninfia (10-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Looking Forward 14-1 (11-5) Hampered 1st, mid-division, headway 12th, left 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure next, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Blazing Hills (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gf.
Got The Gift (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, struggling 9th, tailed off from 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Soulard (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gf.
Winding River (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 34l behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Ballyboe Boy (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Lyster (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Shulmin 14-1 (10-0) Close up, every chance 4 out, weakened next, 16th of 17, 50l behind Bleu Pois (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
