close up, joined leader 3f out, led 2f out, pressed flat, kept on
held up and keen, mistake 4th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened last
held up, steady headway 4f out, chased winner from 3f out, every chance last, no extra
in touch, ridden and weakened after 8th
towards rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 4f out
never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
prominent, weakened after 3f out
towards rear, effort on inside 4f out, short lived
in touch, ridden and weakened 8th
led, headed 4th, close up when mistake 4f out, lost action and pulled up and dismounted 2f out
prominent and mistake 1st, blundered 6th, weakened next, pulled up before 4f out
always in the rear, tailed off when pulled up 4f out
towards rear, plugging on from 3f out, never dangerous and pulled up flat, dismounted
Chasing debutant CORTINAS is picked to land this despite the natural worry regarding his lack of experience against rivals such as Chrysander and Caliban who have ample experience. Rated 120 over hurdles, he picked up both a handicap and novice hurdle last season. Chrysander has acquired a rating of 134 over fences but this represents a step up in class to the races he has been contesting of late. He found the classy Ouzbeck too strong last time and connections opted to give him a small break after that. He comes here a fresh horse but under his penalty he has it to do. The ten year-old Caliban has not won in over three years but would have claims on picks of his form while the headgear remains intact on Pipers Legend who won a selling hurdle over the course three starts back. Soft ground would not have favoured him on his most recent starts so a better effort can be expected. Very few of the others could be considered as having chances on the form they bring into the race and Cortinas gets the vote.
Chrysander 2-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, chased winner after 3 out, blundered 2 out, held when not fluent last, 2nd of 5, 32l behind Ouzbeck (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jul.
Art Historian (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up rear, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Stumped (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb '07.
Caliban (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Country Escape (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Aug.
Cortinas (GER) 10-3fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on well, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Viper (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Fifth Column (USA) 200-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, weakened from 10th, mistake 4 out, 6th of 7, 41l behind Berings Express (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs.
Government (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Led, hit 5th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Shore Thing (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
He's My Man (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, weakened after 8th, mistake next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Different Class (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 14 ran.
Pagan Sword 16-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, mid-division, some headway after 4th, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Divine Gift (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Past Heritage 15-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Star of Germany (11-13) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Pipers Legend 6-1 (11-9) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Dalaram (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Sir Monty (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by De Blanc (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 7-1 (10-4) Led, clear 4th to 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 16l behind Los Nadis (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Thunder Child 50-1 (11-5) Prominent, chased leaders and reminders after 6th, led 7th to 9th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Qrackers (10-7) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Un Autre Espere 4-1 (9-11) Chased winner, mistake 4th, lost 2nd 7th, ridden before next, soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Ishka Baha (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar '07.
Madam Blaze 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 17, 34l behind Charge It (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
