led to 4th, chased winner after until 3 out, regained 2nd soon after, no chance, tailed off
chased leader to 4th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading trio, led 4th, made rest, came well clear from 3 out, very easily
held up in 6th, went poor 3rd after 3 out, tailed off
chased leading pair, pushed along before 5th, driven along 8th, struggling after
behind, not fluent 6th, under pressure next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not fluent in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 7th
Don't Call Me Derek, TALENTI and Vacario are the trio to look at in a poor contest, with Talenti getting the vote. The last named would prefer more give in the ground, but the form of his last run has received a couple of boosts, and this winner of a maiden hurdle earlier in the year can prove too strong. Don't Call Me Derek would win this comfortably on his form of four years ago, but it is some time since he has impressed and despite Tony McCoy's booking, he looks opposable. Since winning a novice hurdle a year ago, Vacario's efforts have tailed off and he was well beaten in this grade last time. Talenti looks gifted enough to take this.
Talenti (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, driven and outpaced after next, never on terms, 5th of 8, 10l behind Oursininlaw (10-13) at Fakenham 2m 7f nh nov hdl (3) gf.
Vacario (GER) 11-4 (11-5) Jumped left and very hesitant, in rear, hit 3rd, hampered next, soon lost touch, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Den Maschine (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf.
Dont Call Me Derek 20-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped right and fell 2nd, in a race won by Kruguyrova (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chase (3) sft in Jan '08, 5 ran.
Satindra (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, weakened 5th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Cash Back (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf, 13 ran.
Smiling Applause 100-1 (10-9) Behind when blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Tisfreetdream (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf, 8 ran.
Ingenue 20-1 (10-1) In touch, mistake 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 17l behind Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf in Dec.
Telling Stories (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, reminders approaching 6th, soon responded and headway, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Worth A King's (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Transfered (IRE) 125-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, some headway when fell 7th, in a race won by Romance Dance (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
