led, disputing and ridden when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, left 3rd, very tired when hit last
tracked leaders, disputed lead 3 out, left in lead soon after, all out when headed after last
in touch, mistake 5th, pulled up soon after
held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th
in touch, ridden and held when unseated rider 2 out
held up, mistake last, jumped right 6th, headway 3 out, ridden to lead flat
in touch, ridden and held when brought down 2 out
Nonrunner
Montecorvino is the dark horse in the line up and has to be watched closely in the betting, however we will side with Jam Packed, with Ice Bucket the pick of the others. Our shortlist are from three stables in cracking form with Jonjo O'Neill training the selection who has shown enough this season to suggest he can land a race of this nature. His jumping let him down last time at Bangor, but we expect him to give more respect to fences and off this sort of mark he must go close. Montecorvino is a course and distance winner who hails from the Twiston-Davies yard. He won that after after a long break and so is obviously a horse that goes well fresh. Ice Bucket showed a bit of promise last season over hurdles but has always looked the type to do better over the larger obstacles. Meanwhile Jim Lad cannot easily be dismissed down at the bottom of the handicap. All in all a very tricky event and Jam Packed is just a sporting selection.
Montecorvino (GER) 33-1 (11-8) Never travelling pulled up at the 4th in race won by Haloo Baloo (11-0) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Stroom Bank (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, led 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Harris Bay (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 20l behind My Immortal (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd.
Island of Memories (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Mistakes throughout, in rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Nabir (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Jam Packed (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Led, blundered 6th, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Red Scally (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Jim Lad 11-2 (11-3) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 3rd approaching last but no impression, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Jazz Night (12-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Aug '05.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader to 3 out, weakened soon after, no chance when, 5th of 13, 30l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 32l behind Terrible Tenant (10-4) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
