mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out
prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
made all, went clear approaching 2 out, easily
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, ran on to go 2nd flat
chased leader, with leader 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and 2nd 2 out, one pace flat
towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up after
prominent, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, mistake 1st, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up last, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
ABOUKIR BAY will need to win this well to justify his Cheltenham entries and there doesn't appear to be a great deal in the way of opposition. Carrickboy, Bacchanalianbertie and Pertinent hail from respected yards. David Pipe has introduced some smart hurdlers in the past fortnight and this will tell us whether Aboukir Bay is amongst them. The Fontwell bumper he won for Charlie Longsdon hasn't worked out that well but it's interesting that the second that day was trained by his current yard. Carrickboy became one of the more unfortunate losers you'll see when stumbling at Towcester and he should build on the promise of his debut but may require a stiffer test. Bacchanalianbertie has disappointed on both starts over obstacles but showed ability in his bumper and still has sufficient time on his side to get back on track. Pertinent showed decent form in France but has plenty to prove on the evidence of his form on this side of the Channel. Few others take the eye with Cesium and Monsieur Cadou horses for the future but the Cheltenham entries of Aboukir Bay suggest that he's the one for today.
Aboukir Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, chased leaders, led 2f out, driven out final furlong, won at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Jan '08 beating Quillygham (10-0) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Bacchanalianbertie (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 4th, ridden after 7th, soon behind, 12th of 16, 38l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Blue Tweed 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 4th, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jeepstar (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Carrickboy (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) With leader when stumbled soon after start and unseated rider in race won by Neil Harvey (11-4) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Intensifier (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 16, 26l behind Ainama (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Steadied rear, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, 7th of 9, 7l behind Thumbs Up (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (5) sft in Sept (Flat).
Pertinent (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Barnhill Brownie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Rudie Finn (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Always in rear, tailed off 4f out, last of 11, well behind Alfie Sherrin (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leader until after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Qozak (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Etain (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Took keen hold, prominent, went 2nd after 4f until ridden after 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 13th of 15, 33l behind Kritzia (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Sept (Flat).
Cesium (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leader until pecked badly 1st and dropped to mid-division, ridden and hit 3rd, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Optimus Maximus (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Monsieur Cadou (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Qozak (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Deep Squeeze (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 14, 37l behind Clova Island (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, always behind, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
