raced freely, led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 4th, effort after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders early, mid-division, after 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off
in touch, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, went 3rd run-in
chased leaders, ridden and switched right to challenge approaching last, took narrow advantage run-in, all out
always towards rear
held up, headway after 5th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 6th, joined leader approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden and narrowly headed run-in, kept on close home, just held
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, faded
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Seven Is My Number is well worth opposing over hurdles until proving to the contrary and Woolcombe Folly can make a winning debut over obstacles. Emerald Wilderness looks best of the remainder but he's got a little to prove now as well having finished well beaten at Newbury. However, it's fairly likely that neither the track nor the ground suited this ex-Flat racer that day and he should fare better on this sharper circuit. Seven Is My Number showed smart form in bumpers and has travelled well on both runs over hurdles only to weaken ominously when push has come to shove. His supporters may well come in again but he remains one to be wary of. The selection made his debut in a valuable bumper at Aintree, finishing on the heels of Tazbar and under 8 lengths behind the winner, Theatrical Moment. That was a cracking effort and there wasn't much wrong with his reappearance at Newbury either. The major concern today is the trip as he was outpaced at Newbury and this will definitely be short of his optimum. However, he may have the class to get away with it here and Woolcombe Folly is the pick.
Come On Jonny (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Led 2nd, headed 4 out, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Wizard of Us (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec '06, 17 ran.
Don Pietro 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 18, well behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lord Crewe (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead line, won at Lingfield 2m nhf awt (6) pol in Oct beating Knightsbridgelives (11-4) by a shd, 11 ran.
Schindlers Son (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 18, 35l behind Kasnani (11-5) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gs in May '06.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 13-8 (11-3) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 6th, led briefly after 3 out, soon ridden, faded from 2 out, 6th of 13, 18l behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Skyler 80-1 (10-11) Hit 4th, always in rear, 11th of 15, well behind Blackthorn Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (5) gs.
Tufton 10-1 (9-1) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway entering straight, squeezed through to challenge 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 8, nk behind Scamperdale (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan (Flat).
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, chased winner 3f out, driven 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Midnight Sail (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Colorado Storm 200-1 (10-10) Chased leader, ridden after 5th, weakening when hit 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Stellino (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Glowing Dawn (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Keen, mid-division, headway 4th, weakened after next, 8th of 14, 40l behind Caribou (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Dec '05.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 7th of 14, 47l behind Celestial Halo (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Lyon's Hill 100-1 (10-12) Prominent, keen hold, jumped slowly 2nd, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 13, 36l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Southway Queen 33-1 (9-9) Chased leader, ridden 7f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Fassaroe (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
